Erasmus returned to the Springbok head coach position after four years this year, supporting his very good friend Jacques Nienaber from the position of director of rugby, after which the team went forward, it only compounded into development in 2024.
The nucleus of the same Springbok team of 2019 stands, but as many of the players are now in or beyond their 30s, one of the main priorities for Erasmus has been to get new talent into the fold.
The old coach has introduced the new star well but has kept the competitiveness high, meaning 50 players used in a season and staying at an 85 percent win record, securing a comfortable finish for the Boks at the top of world rankings at year-end.
Mitchell believes that this multitude of players has put the Springboks in a commanding position globally.
“They’re the best positioned in world rugby,” the former Australian backline star said on Kick Offs and Kick Ons.
“The depth that Rassie Erasmus has created is phenomenal. He used I think 51 players this year and not because he had to but because they were in a position of privilege where they were so strong that they could afford to make wholesale changes against teams that are still Tier One nations.
“By doing that [he] was blooding young guys to that arena so that in the instance that some of these guys don’t make it to the ’27 World Cup, they’ve got readymade replacements.”
Another feature of the Springboks in 2024 has been their evolved attacking style which has flourished under new assistant coach Tony Brown. The former All Black was given licence to launch a running style with South Africa and it has paid dividends.
“I think he’s always innovating, Rassie, he’s got genuine superstars,” added Mitchell. “He’s got players that can play different types of footy, they can play that 10-man rugby if they need to â- if the opposition or conditions call on that â- but they can also play expansive.
“Of yesteryear, the Springboks were probably criticised for not being able to play that type of footy but you look at Cheslin Kolbe, [Kurt-Lee] Arendse, [Aphelele] Fassi at full-back, [Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu] ⦠they just have the capacity to really open teams up and play that transition type footy as well.”
There is still plenty of work for the Springboks to do if they are to achieve the unprecedented three-peat of World Cup titles but this season has been the ideal start to their evolution.
