How Rassie Erasmus revitalised the Springboks: Insights from Malcolm Marx

Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx has credited Rassie Erasmus transparent coaching methods for the turnaround in the team’s fortunes following a tumultuous period in South African rugby.

Erasmus took over their reins in 2018 with Springbok rugby at a low following almost a decade of underachieving, which included heavy defeats against fierce rivals the All Blacks and historic defeats against Argentina, Japan and Italy.

Erasmus, in his roles as head coach and SA Rugby director of rugby, steered the team to back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, while they had a remarkable year in 2024, winning back the Rugby Championship and whitewashing the New Zealanders at home.

Marx, who had been part of the Springbok team that lost 57-0 against the All Blacks away in Albany in 2017, says Erasmus’ man-management and his unique way of thinking about the game.

“I think the transparency we get as players … there are open and clear messages. There is nothing done behind closed doors. If you have a question you can walk up to him and ask him that,” Marx, who plays his rugby in Japan, said in an interview with Sky New Zealand.

“Just the way that he thinks outside of the box, for me his knowledge of the game is incredible. Just the stuff he does around the team and his coaching is quite inspiring.

“To see what he has done from 2018 to 2024 is quite incredible. He is definitely the best coach I’ve worked with.”

According to Marx, it’s hard to pick a specific Test where the Bok turnaround under Erasmus started. But he did mention later in the interview that their win over the All Blacks in Wellington in 2019 – a first on New Zealand soil since 2009 – was a “landmark” moment ahead of the World Cup in Japan later that year.

I don’t think I can pin-point one specific thing or one specific tournament. But you could sort of feel things changing for the better. Getting into the right sort of space, doing the right things,” Marx added.

“From 2018 going into 2019 … I don’t think a lot of people gave us a chance going into the 2019 World Cup, even making it to the finals.

“The win in Wellington was definitely a landmark moment. I don’t think we had beaten New Zealand in New Zealand for some time before that.”

@JohnGoliath82