Playing in the sun - coaching the Rassie way

I know I should never confess this as a South African, but I am not a rugby fan. There, I said it. I don’t like rugby. So when I watch rugby (there have been six occasions – three Rugby World cup semis and finals), it is in support of a bigger energy than purely the game – it is as a member of Team South Africa.

In an even deeper admission to partaking in the game I allegedly don’t like, I've watched both docu-series of Chasing the Sun, covering their process of taking them to the fourth overall and second consecutive Rugby World Cup victory. A first in history. And I loved it all. Here is why:

As a strategist and  transformation coach, Rassie Erasmus resonated with some of the key criteria and qualities I try to achieve with people, businesses,  leaders and teams to  fulfill some of the greatest leadership qualities needed to create a winning product, game, business, life: Purpose, Relationships, Connection, Intention and Embodiment.

So let’s unpack these in a traditional transformation coaching sense, referencing the Chasing the Sun 2 docu-series.

1. Purpose

We emphasise the significance of purpose in leadership and coaching. We guide participants to connect their personal passions with the broader requirements of their roles within a relational ecosystem. Having a clear purpose not only influences one's immediate actions but also serves as a compass for making broader strategic decisions and fostering a sense of collective responsibility among team members. He articulates this by encouraging participants to think about what South Africa needs from them and how they can uniquely contribute to these needs, promoting a sense of alignment between personal goals and external demands. As Bongi calls it: “The Springbok Way” because "Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie" (they don’t know what we know).

In the context of the Springboks, this translates into playing for the pride and unity of the nation, drawing on the strength that comes from representing their diverse and historically complex country.

During the 2019 Rugby World Cup, for example, Siya Kolisi, the first black captain of the Springboks, often spoke about the importance of playing to bring hope and to unite people back home in South Africa. This sentiment was mirrored by his teammates and the coaching staff, who highlighted their roles as representatives of their country's hopes and dreams. The 2023 victory continued this narrative, emphasising teamwork, national pride, and the symbolic importance of their success as a unifying force for the country.

“It’s not your right to wear the jersey, it’s a privilege. Think of the people you represent.” Rassie’s ongoing message of purpose to the team.

Such a unifying purpose not only strengthens team cohesion but also elevates the players' sense of responsibility and commitment. By prioritising national pride over personal accolades, the Springboks foster a powerful sense of collective identity and dedication, which has proven to be a formidable force on the world stage.

Pieter du Toit (Pieter-Steph du Toit’s dad) echoes Erasmus’ call to purpose: “He wants to give something back to the rest of South Africa. He realises how much sport means to our country.”

2. Relationships

Erasmus's strategy involves more than just tactical knowledge: it's about creating a relational ecosystem within the team that values each member's contribution and voice, aligning with the RSI (Relationship System Intelligence) principle of seeing the team as a single, integrated whole rather than just a group of individuals. He actively works to ensure that every team member, from the most to the least experienced, feels an integral part of the team's journey and success. 

A significant aspect of this approach is how Erasmus deals with conflict within the team. He doesn't shy away from these issues but addresses them head-on, using them as opportunities for growth and cohesion, indicative of the RSI practice where conflict is seen as a catalyst for necessary systemic change rather than a disruption. When Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermeulen were in conflict, Erasmus believed that resolving their differences would strengthen the team's unity and performance. By encouraging players to sort out their differences, Erasmus ensured that unresolved tensions did not undermine the team's unity. This approach is particularly effective in high-pressure environments like the Rugby World Cup, where teamwork and mutual support are crucial for success. By fostering an environment where players could openly communicate and resolve conflicts, Erasmus reinforced the concept of the importance of relational health in team success​​.

In another example, when key players like Malcolm Marx and Makazole Mapimpi were injured and sent home, Erasmus demonstrated his ability to reconfigure the team dynamically. He shifted players into less predictable positions, utilizing their collective knowledge and capabilities to maintain the team's strength. This not only addressed the immediate gaps caused by injuries but also kept opponents guessing, as the Springboks presented new formations and strategies​

Moreover, the documentary illustrates how Erasmus uses deep democracy, ensuring that all voices are heard within the team. “This is my suggestion but I’m open to any other suggestions,” he says while opening the floor to both coaches and players to participate in the game strategy. This practice not only helps in solving problems but also in building a resilient team culture where members feel valued and respected, which boosts morale and enhances performance.

The leadership principle demonstrates that success in sports often stems as much from psychological and relational intelligence as it does from physical skill and strategy.

"Let's f&$# them up!" is as much a physical intention as it is a collective call-to-action. Albeit not necessarily the turn of phrase all leaders would use.

3. Team over technique

Rassie Erasmus' approach to coaching the Springboks emphasises the significance of team dynamics over purely focusing on individual skill and technique.Or even team technique for that matter. Of course this is important. That’s a given. That's how the players made it onto the team. But focusing on the team dynamic aligns closely with contemporary theories in leadership and coaching that advocate for a shift from individualism to relational and collective leadership.

Erasmus leverages the collective strengths and synergies of the team, fostering a strong sense of unity and shared purpose. This method of coaching in the modern context requires a move away from the hero-centric model of leadership that focuses on individual heroes (evidenced with the English team)  and instead, towards a model that emphasises the collective capabilities of the team.

Modern leadership needs to cultivate collective and relational leadership skills, where the focus is on how team members can operate synergistically beyond the sum of their individual parts. This is evident in Erasmus' methodology, where he not only aims to develop each player's skills but more importantly, fosters a powerful team ethos and mutual accountability. The result is a team that performs cohesively under pressure.

The shift from focusing on the "Great Man" theory of leadership to a more relational and collective approach demonstrated that the strength of a team lies not just in the talents of individual players but in their ability to come together with a shared vision and collective effort.

For example, by making it clear at the end of their losing match to Ireland: that the team's interests supersede individual accolades or recognition, Erasmus reinforced a culture of equality and cohesion. 

“What the f*%$ wrong with you, have you become bigger than the game? I promise you Siya Kolisi is not the biggest thing in South Africa. South Africa is the biggest thing in South Africa.”

This incident reflects the broader strategy Erasmus employed throughout the World Cup, where he focused on building a resilient team identity. The message to Kolisi and the team was clear: the strength of the Springboks lay in their unity and their ability to operate as a cohesive unit, rather than relying solely on individual talent. This philosophy was pivotal in their journey to becoming World Cup champions.

“It’s not bringing hope to a boy because he can become a Springbok one day”, reinforces Erasmus. “It’s the hope that when we work together, we can be successful”

In contrast, in the game against Ireland, we see a shift in the coaching style of Erasmus, away from team and embodiment practice, to a more traditional strategy to the demise of the Springbok team. In preparation for the game, Erasmus speaks more into technique over team: “Ireland is the top team because they get so much satisfaction out of ‘we are clever’”. The soul of the Irish is how technical they are and how information-driven they are. The right guys in the right spot at the right time. The most consistent team in the league. No-one could touch them. No-one could match them with the scale of this occasion. The only thing I’m thinking is we need to out-think them and out-skill them.”

4. Construction of Emotion

In addition to a focus on technique, Rassie Erasmus also speaks to the reduced importance of winning the match against the Irish. According to the theory of constructed emotion, our brains interpret and respond to situations based on past experiences, context, and anticipated future, constructing emotions accordingly. If a coach communicates that winning isn't crucial, it could lead players to construct emotions and motivations that align with this perspective, potentially affecting their performance intensity and focus.In the context of Rassie Erasmus telling the Springboks that it wasn’t important to win the game against the Irish, such a statement could indeed have  influenced the team's mindset and emotional preparation for the match. If the players were told that winning wasn't important, their brains could construct emotional responses that align with a less competitive or urgent mindset.

This approach could lead to a more relaxed state, potentially reducing anxiety and pressure. However, it might also dampen the aggressive, highly focused state often beneficial in competitive sports, possibly leading to what might be perceived as a "defeatist" attitude. In high-stakes games, the mental framing by a coach plays a crucial role in how players construct their emotional responses and prepare themselves for the game's demands. By setting a tone that downplays the importance of winning, Erasmus might have been aiming to alleviate pressure, but this could also unintentionally lead to reduced motivation or intensity in play.

“We didn’t have the excitement of winning,” reflects Erasmus, after losing the match. “If a ‘lightie’ came to  watch you and you’re his hero and he looked at you and just saw this head down, shoulders down and you know he's gonna wonder what's going on, what's my hero doing, what's wrong with my hero.”

In contrast, Erasmus's approach in later games to adopt a “very, very aggressive” mindset, was designed to condition the players' emotional responses to match the intensity and physicality needed for the game. Intense drills and mental preparation to simulate the high-pressure situations they would face, would’ve helped players to mentally and physically embody the aggressive stance required for the match. 

5. Embodied practice

The  concept of embodied learning emphasises the importance of integrating physical experiences with cognitive and emotional processes to enhance learning and performance. Erasmus' strategy of playing the French national anthem, the "Marseillaise," during practices to prepare the Springboks for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final exemplifies an advanced coaching technique aligned with theories on embodied learning.

This approach effectively anchored the team's preparation in a real-world sensory experience, enhancing their readiness and focus for the high-pressure environment they would face during the final against France.

 By immersing the players in the auditory experience of the "Marseillaise," Erasmus utilised a form of sensory exposure that likely heightened the players' emotional and physiological responses, aligning them with the specific context of the upcoming game. This method goes beyond traditional mental preparation by invoking a powerful, context-specific association that could help in stabilising the players' responses to the actual sounds and pressures of the final match.

This technique leverages the principles, where "embodied mindfulness in action" is embedded in day-to-day activities and interactions, promoting a deeper integration of body and mind. This integration is crucial for high performance, as it allows individuals to access and utilise all aspects of their intelligence—emotional, social, and systemic—in real-time situations.

Erasmus' use of the "Marseillaise" can be seen as a practical application providing a concrete example of how sensory experiences can be strategically used to prepare teams for peak performance in critical moments, thereby enhancing both individual and collective readiness and efficacy in high-stakes environments.

6. Ritual

We see repeatedly the Springboks the use of prayer, song and dance. 

The traditional tribal songs and dances tap into a deep cultural heritage that fosters a strong sense of identity and belonging among the players. These practices are more than mere rituals; they are embodied ancestral experiences that connect the players to their roots and to each other. This connection enhances team cohesion and morale, creating an environment where players feel a profound sense of unity and purpose. 

Prayer is another significant aspect of the Springboks' psycho-spiritual preparation. It provides a moment of reflection, grounding, and connection to something larger than oneself. This practice strengthens the bonds among team members as they share in a collective act of devotion and intention setting.

These practices underscore the potential transformative power of spiritual and communal practices in leadership and organisational settings. Practices like meditation, prayer, song, dance and other devotional acts are not just private, introspective activities but serve to deepen connections within a community or team. These practices foster a sense of belonging and mutual support, crucial for team coherence and collective resilience.

Using prayer or similar ritual practices can help individuals and teams align with their core values and visions, set intention,  and align their mental and emotional states with their physical readiness, thereby acting as a stabilising force amid the pressures and challenges of high-stakes environments.

This alignment is particularly valuable in sports, where mental clarity and emotional stability can significantly impact performance on the field.

This is also consistent with the theory of constructed emotion, where the physical act of engaging in these cultural practices helps to construct an emotional state that is focused, energised, and resilient.

It's essential to balance such strategies to ensure that they foster the right kind of mindset conducive to both optimal performance and player well-being. Here this strategy worked but it would be interesting to understand the players' reflections on how this approach affected their performance and emotional state.

The thing about coaching, especially psycho-spiritual coaching, is how intuitively this wisdom sits inside us. Neuroscience has shown us how this works. Spirituality has shown us how this works. Rassi Erasmus has shown us how this works. Not all teams have Rassie as their coach, but all teams can benefit from consciously adopting the winning principles he used together with the Springbok team to bring home the second consecutive world cup. A cup of gold at the end of the SA rainbow. Overall, Erasmus’s methods illustrate a deep understanding of both team dynamics and the psychological aspects of high-performance sports, employing strategies that ensure the Springboks were not only physically prepared but also mentally and emotionally primed for success. He has taken a Gladiator-style game and elevated it into a highly strategic whole-being game. And made a fan out of me in the process.