SA Rugby general manager for high performance Dave Wessels has praised Rassie Erasmus for creating a “golden era” of South African rugby.
Erasmus’ tenure – both as director of rugby and Springbok head coach – has delivered unprecedented dominance: back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, a British & Irish Lions series victory in 2021, and consecutive Castle Rugby Championship triumphs in 2024 and 2025.
But Wessels says Erasmus’ influence stretches far beyond the Boks.
“Rassie and his team have really created this golden era of South African rugby,” Wessels told Planet Rugby. “Sometimes as fans, we don’t quite appreciate how special it is.”
READ: SA Rugby hints at Rassie succession plan
Wessels, who stepped into the newly created high-performance role in 2024, now oversees the Blitzboks, Junior Boks, Springbok Women, Springbok Women Sevens and SA U18 teams – structures Erasmus helped shape when he was still SA Rugby director of rugby.
“I’m blessed and was very lucky that he gave me an opportunity many years ago,” said Wessels, who first worked alongside Erasmus as a technical analyst at the Stormers in 2008.
“When he called me about this job, it was very difficult to say no. I’m pleased that I didn’t. It’s been fantastic, and I feel privileged to be part of it.”
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The ex-Western Force and Melbourne Rebels head coach said the success achieved by South Africa’s other national teams in 2025 – the World Rugby U20 Championship title, the Blitzboks’ SVNS crown, and the Springbok Women reaching their first World Cup quarter-final – flows directly from the performance environment Erasmus created.
“The things that Rassie and the Springboks are doing have set such a high bar for everybody at SA Rugby,” Wessels said. “There’s a real energy in the organisation. Everyone feels the responsibility to bring their A-game.”
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He also pointed to the clarity Erasmus provides as a central pillar of success.
“He’s kept the squad fresh, introduced new faces, and they’ve all performed. He’s created an ecosystem of performance where the expectations are so high, and everyone resonates with the purpose: the Springboks bring joy to a country that often needs it.”
Wessels said his mandate is simple: “We’re copying what works in Rassie’s environment and applying it across our teams. If we get it right, South Africa can be world champions in women’s rugby as well.”
Photo: Gareth Everett/Getty Images
