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Cape Town - Swys de Bruin has called on Springbok fans to show patience with the team under new head coach Rassie Erasmus.
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The Lions mentor told Netwerk24 on Monday: “Rassie is working hard at putting his own stamp on the team and to establish his way of doing things. There are many new things being introduced and those who want quick fixes are unfair to demand changes overnight.”
Erasmus has copped flak after the Boks suffered a demoralising 32-19 defeat to Argentina in Mendoza at the weekend.
Under Erasmus’ guidance in 2018, the Boks have now won only three from six Tests.
De Bruin will this week join the Springboks as an attack consultant, having worked with the team earlier in the year when they defeated England 2-1 in a home series.
De Bruin pointed to the fact that the Lions also took time to evolve. “It simply didn’t happen in year one,” he said.
He was initially the Lions’ assistant coach alongside Johan Ackermann. They took the helm at the Lions in 2013, with the Johannesburg franchise eventually reaching three successive Super Rugby finals between 2016 and 2018.
De Bruin took over the Lions head coaching role after the 2017 Super Rugby season when Ackermann left to coach Gloucester in England.
He will not coach the Lions in the Currie Cup this year, but will return in time for Super Rugby in 2019.
