The Springboks completed 2024 because the No 1 ranked facet on the planet for the fifth time in six years, with a lot of this latest success coming below the management of Rassie Erasmus.

Overall, it’s the tenth 12 months the Springboks have been No 1 for the reason that rankings started in 2003, with the staff actually constructing a wholesome interval of consistency since profitable back-to-back World Cup titles.

Speaking on the For The Love of Rugby podcast, Springbok stalwart Handre Pollard apparently defined that Erasmus’ capacity at conserving gamers centered and grounded was a giant issue behind their success.

“The very first thing he (Rassie) ever spoke about was entitlement. That’s the very first thing that breaks a gaggle up if senior guys assume they’re vital.

“That was means again when he began [late in 2017], and it’s nonetheless one thing we stay by.

“The affect that the older guys have on a gaggle is so massive. We’ve obtained a really completely different expertise from our youthful days to what we’re giving the kids now. It’s completely different eras.

“It retains all people very equal and very hungry – particularly the outdated guys, your massive canines like Pieter-Steph [du Toit], Siya [Kolisi] and Eben [Etzebeth].

“It’s not a feat of if I’m still going to play or not. It’s that, I’ve got to prove myself every single day, otherwise I won’t play. It doesn’t matter who you are. That’s what makes him special.”

Rassie Erasmus led the Springboks via one other profitable 12 months in 2024

By the numbers in 2024:

#1 on the World Rugby Rankings
13 Tests Played
11 Tests received
2 Tests misplaced
57 tries scored
23 tries conceded (three clean-sheets, in opposition to Australia, New Zealand and Scotland)
450 factors scored
220 factors conceded
50 gamers used
4 captains (Kolisi, Moerat, Du Toit and Etzebeth)
3 World Rugby Player of the Year nominations (Du Toit, Etzebeth and Kolbe)
12 new caps

The Springboks comfortably completed the 12 months as the highest staff on the world rankings with a rewarding 11 victories in 13 Tests, and a powerful win document of 84.6%.

Adding to this, they scored the third highest variety of tries within the season since 1992 within the course of (57) – essentially the most being in 2007 once they scored 81 tries, whereas they scored 74 five-pointers in 1997 when Rassie Erasmus donned the inexperienced and gold jersey himself, whereas the Bok coach used a rare 50 gamers within the course of.

What was your spotlight from the final season?

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