Springboks legend Percy Montgomery has hailed Rassie Erasmus for his success with the national team and reveals the prank he used to play on his former teammate.<\/b><\/p>\n
Montgomery played alongside and for Erasmus during his illustrious playing career and went on to work with his former teammate in a coaching capacity.<\/p>\n
The duo were part of Nick Mallett\u2019s successful Springboks<\/a> team that went on a then-record winning streak of 17 consecutive Test<\/a> wins.<\/p>\n Rassie was different<\/p>\n The 2007 World Cup winner states that Erasmus<\/a> had the ear of his teammates, even though they still gave him a bit of a ribbing.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was something about Rassie that you just knew he was different,\u201d Montgomery said on The Behind The Ruck Podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI still remember he had those crooked fingers, and he hated fruits, so we used to put bananas in his blazer.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was always the analyst in the team \u2013 that\u2019s what stood out, and when he spoke, everyone listened. We joked around a lot back then, but it\u2019s not like it is today; they are professionals.<\/p>\n \u201cHe made it very clear that if you want to become a Springbok, you can\u2019t do all those shenanigans that went on back in our days.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, we were professionals, but it was still very semi-professional. So there\u2019s a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n SA Rugby make significant announcement in wake of Bulls backlash after Johan Ackermann forced to defend Springboks involvement<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Erasmus has been even more influential as a coach, masterminding two Rugby World Cup victories, and Montgomery has hailed how he managed to turn things around for South African rugby after a challenging run.<\/p>\n \u201cI was at Rassie\u2019s wedding, man, we were mates. He was part of the 2011 coaching team overseeing the rugby when Peter de Villiers was still there,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was scheming a long time ago; he was way ahead. He went overseas to see what the other teams were doing. What he has done is just unbelievable because SA Rugby was struggling with professionalism and that kind of thing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way they have lifted their game, so the players can lift, it\u2019s amazing how they have evolved.\u201d<\/p>\n Evan Roos puts Springboks ambitions on the backburner despite \u2018physical\u2019 derby clash being perfect platform to impress Rassie Erasmus<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Springboks\u2019 depth<\/p>\n What has impressed the first Springboks centurion most is how Erasmus and his coaching team have managed to build depth.<\/p>\n \u201cRassie can say now we\u2019ve got a 45-man squad. We\u2019ve got an A, B and C team,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s where we are ahead of so far ahead of the other nations, like we play against Wales and half the team got to go to their provinces, but they don\u2019t have a B team.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s where SA Rugby are more professional, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re evolving quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n Show co-host and fellow former Bok Juan de Jongh replied: \u201cYou said it\u2019s A, B and C, but I think it\u2019s more A, A and A.\u201d<\/p>\n Montgomery added: \u201d That\u2019s it exactly, the next guy just steps in, and you look at the Stormers and they are doing exactly the same. Half the guys are youngsters, and I can\u2019t keep up with all the okes, which is great to see.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look at it from schoolboy rugby to provincial, and it\u2019s going to our national team and then the Blitzboks.\u201d<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n