Rassie praised for 'embracing change' amid Afrikaner backlash

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While a group of Afrikaners have arrived in the US under “refugee” status, and many more are considering the great “Trek”, one that has been praised for staying behind and leading transformation in South African sports is Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus.

The rugby boss has been instrumental in honing the skills of players of colour, often from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2018, he also received flak for naming Siya Kolisi as the squad’s first black captain.

RASSIE ERASMUS PRAISED FOR EMBRACING CHANGE, ‘COMPASSION’ TO BLACK PLAYERS

In an X post by author and social justice commentator Khaya Dlanga, Rassie Erasmus was praised for his commitment to his home country. The Boks boss was also hailed for his ability to relate to players from underprivileged backgrounds.

Khaya posted: “While some Afrikaaners are spreading misinformation, here is what one is doing.�

“The man [Rassie Erasmus] has an almost instinctive, compassionate grasp of our history, its complexities and contradictions. Yet, does not get caught up in the emotion of it all. He mixes his compassion with practical solutions that lead to the best possible outcome.�

“He does not resist change. To him, it’s not a threat or something that dilutes what already exists. It’s an addition that makes the team better, stronger.

“What sets him apart as a leader in this country, is that he does not assume someone from a different background knows less. Because he listens”.

Khaya continued that Rassie could “turn hardships into edges”.

“He stands in the fire with his team until they all forge something new and better.

“For him, transformation is not just an inconvenient box-ticking exercise. It’s not about reluctantly meeting a quota or leaving players to sink or swim. His mindset is: How do I set up everyone to win? And boy, is he winning!”

‘TRANSFORMATION DOESN’T MEAN WHITE OUT, BLACK IN’

In the clip posted by Khaya Dlanga on X, Rassie Erasmus was seen sharing a touching message to a crowd. The Springboks boss was delivering his acceptance speech of the Goodwill Award from the FW De Klerk Foundation for helping to “unite South Africans.”

Rassie said: “A lot of people think when we talk transformation, it’s ‘white out, black in’. Transformation in any other country means change. It became such a nasty word in South Africa…”

Rassie added that back in 2013, he began establishing the foundation of transformation via a database of rugby players from all races.

He continued: “In that way, we were not ‘white out, black in’. We built a database of players who are now playing for the Springboks.

“We don’t have quotas. I hate that word, and I think it’s embarrassing. We call it a change in how we select the team and management. It’s purely about what you put out and how you get better.”