Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus named Munster director of rugby
Tuesday 26 April 2016 17:06, UK
Munster have appointed Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus as their director of rugby on a three-year contract.
The 43-year-old, who won 36 caps for the Springboks and is currently General Manager High Performance of South African rugby, will take up the post on July 1.
Following his retirement, Erasmus moved into coaching and guided the Cheetahs to Currie Cup glory in 2005, the first time the Bloemfontein-based side had won it since 1976.
The following year, his Cheetahs side shared the Currie Cup trophy with the Blue Bulls and he became the first coach of the Cheetahs Super Rugby franchise after they came into Super Rugby that year.
Erasmus also served as technical adviser for the Springboks during their Rugby World Cup winning campaign in France in 2007 before becoming head coach of the Stormers and director of coaching at Western Province.
He returned as technical adviser to the Springboks during the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand before assuming the General Manager High Performance role.
Erasmus will work in conjunction with Munster head coach Anthony Foley, who signed a contract extension in March.
"We are delighted to announce Rassie Erasmus as Munster Rugby's Director of Rugby," said Garrett Fitzgerald, Munster Rugby CEO.
"In recruiting Rassie, we are securing the services of a world-class individual who was the stand out candidate for this newly created position.
"In addition to his extensive playing and coaching experience Rassie's current role has afforded him the opportunity to develop his skill-set further, garnering invaluable knowledge and expertise while implementing an all-encompassing rugby programme which will be key to this role.
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"The director of rugby role will lead Munster's senior team, academy and coaches to deliver Munster's Strategic Plan with ultimate responsibility for team performance and results.
"The role will have overall responsibility for defining on field strategy and ensuring its implementation.
"We look forward to welcoming Rassie at the start of the 2016/17 season."
Erasmus himself is excited to be taking up the new role.
"It is a huge honour to have been appointed by Munster Rugby in the newly created role of Director of Rugby," said the 43-year-old.
"It is an opportunity which comes with a huge responsibility not only to the club who has a proud 137-year history, but also the supporters and the wider community.
"It is a challenge which I humbly accepted but with a clear desire to use all my past experience as a player, coach and administrative High Performance manager, to make Munster Rugby one of the top rugby clubs in Europe."
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