Boks, beach and braai: Rassie and his Bald Squad let their hair down in Perth

The Springboks may have another Test against Australia looming large this weekend, but Rassie Erasmus and his management team were in no rush to get back into serious rugby mode.

After the exhausting Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, which the world champions won 3-1, Erasmus and his assistants took some time out in Perth to relax, recharge and celebrate their impressive series victory.

Few things could have offered a better way for the group to unwind than a beach day, a braai, some Afrikaans music and plenty of camaraderie.

@iol.sport “We are the problem!” Springbok captain Siya Kolisi issued a raw plea from Australia, urging South African men to unite against GBV after 9 women were tragically murdered in Ekurhuleni! 🏉🇿🇦 #SiyaKolisi #Springboks #EndGBV #Ekurhuleni ♬ original sound – IOL Sport

While their attention now shifts to Sunday’s clash at Optus Stadium in Perth (11:45am kick-off SA time) against the Australians, the Bok management team over the weekend made the most of their downtime.

Scrum coach Daan Human took charge of the braai, while another member of the management team appeared to attempt to embrace the Australian lifestyle on a stand-up paddle board. It didn’t quite go according to plan, however, as he ended up taking an unexpected dip in the water.

Erasmus, never one to miss an opportunity for a bit of a laugh, shared a video of the moment with the caption: “Some of us stay South African, others try to be local in a foreign country”.

@iol.sport “There are no Sundowns players, only South African players!” Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso pledged 100% backing to Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane, uniting with rival bosses like Abdeslam Ouaddou to support 1 national vision. He urged all fans to celebrate national success together! ⚽🇿🇦 #BafanaBafana #MiguelCardoso #PitsoMosimane #MamelodiSundowns ♬ original sound – IOL Sport

There was plenty to celebrate, too, after the Springboks claimed a 3-1 series triumph over New Zealand in their historic four-Test showdown.

But the break from rugby didn’t last forever and the coaches have already started to plot their way to another victory over a southern hemisphere side after defeating Argentina and the Kiwis this year already.

The Boks are preparing for another physical challenge when they face the Wallabies.

Australia will be hoping to spoil the South Africans’ party and bring them down from the wave they are currently riding.

The unusual Sunday kick-off for South Africans is being positioned as a marquee Perth sporting event ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with the Test receiving prime Sunday viewing blocks in Australia, while accommodating international broadcast windows.

So, instead of a traditional Saturday braai, South African supporters can light the fires before midday on Sunday afternoon ahead of the start of the match.