Rassie to mull Swys replacement

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will not panic, but rather consider all his options before appointing a replacement for outgoing assistant coach Swys de Bruin.

De Bruin shocked Bok fans when he resigned on Wednesday, a month before the Rugby World Cup starts, to look after a medical condition that has been plaguing him the entire season.

While the decision was not taken lightly, the reality for Erasmus now is whether he replaces De Bruin so close to the tournament, and risks bringing in a “different voice” with different ideas, or if he continues as the team have for the last two weeks and tries to paper over the cracks and handle the team attack internally.

Erasmus has another option – and that is to appoint Mzwandile Stick – currently the team’s skills coach, into the position as well, or could take up the attack role himself in addition to the head coaching role, and then bring in another coach – not necessarily an attack coach – to add a voice to the team that strengthens the coaching role ahead of the World Cup.

Such a voice could well be that of former Southern Kings coach Deon Davids, who has been around the Bok camp for the past few weeks and is known to be close to Erasmus. But Davids is essentially more a forwards coach, and it would mean that the Boks won’t have a backline and attack coach on staff if they go this route.

Either way, Erasmus said he was looking to chat to the senior leadership group first – and all those players have been sent home for a well-earned rest ahead of the final preparation camp in Bloemfontein from Sunday.

Erasmus said he was disappointed that De Bruin left the side, but understood the reasons for this.

"It is unfortunate, when it comes to one’s personal life, being it health or personal life, religion and family, that always comes first. In this case it is a health issue and a medical issue that unfortunately Swys told us he unfortunately can’t be with us," he said.

"It is very sad because I know he wants to be with us and we want him to be with us. He has contributed in such a big way, but personal life always comes first and we are hoping all the best and he can recover as soon as possible.

"It has been short notice for us, we didn’t expect to have this happen. He did leave us after the New Zealand game, the next day. We have been coping without him for the last two weeks but we thought he would be able to join us again.

"We will work through it now, we will finish this game and then during the Bloemfontein week we will look at all our options. I will chat to the guys who are now “on leave” and are not here. Chat to them, look at the options and make a decision then."

Erasmus said he was not sure whether a replacement so close to the tournament was necessary, but he didn’t want to dwell on it so close to the Loftus test match and would give it the necessary attention next week in Bloemfontein.

"We did manage the Auckland build-up week and the Argentina week without Swys, but we did miss him a lot. Not just his rugby brain but his personality as well. He is a good guy to have around on and off the field.

"I will be stupid to now say yes or no, I will have a good think. Let’s concentrate on this Argentina match and then on Sunday I will have a think on that."

The Boks face Argentina at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday and will name their World Cup squad on 26 August.