The Springboks and coach Rassie Erasmus had their 2019 achievements recognised by being named Team and Coach of the Year at the World Rugby Awards on Sunday.
In his final year as head coach, Erasmus coached the Boks to a Rugby Championship and World Cup in 2019. As was his original plan, Erasmus will be stepping down in 2020 to focus on his responsibilities as director of rugby.
Rassie Erasmus accepts World Rugby Coach of the Year at the #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/yHOop6kX2O
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 3, 2019
Under Erasmus and his coaching team, the Springboks climbed from seventh to first on the official World Rugby rankings between the beginning of 2018 and end of 2019.
The World Cup was the Springboks’ third overall and first in 12 years, having last won the tournament in 2007.
They produced an incredible display in the Rugby World Cup 2019 final and raised the hopes of a nation. The @Springboks are your World Rugby Team of the Year! #WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/8yc5kngZXJ
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 3, 2019
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
