While he can be a divisive figure at times, there is no doubt that Rassie Erasmus brings a huge amount of entertainment to top level rugby. In a sport that can often be so sanitised, the South Africa coach is someone that is never afraid to speak his mind.
That has been the case once again ahead the Springboks' test series with Ireland this month.
Those two sides have developed quite the rivalry in recent times, with Erasmus very much at the heart of it. He has been speaking openly about the dynamic between the pair in recent days, even if he has attempted to put much of the blame at the feet of the Irish media.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
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Rassie Erasmus explains his feelings on Ireland rugby fans
Rassie Erasmus has an uncanny knack of downplaying certain things, while at the same time making comments look to be designed to antagonise the opposition.
That seems to be the case once again in a video released by the South Africa social media team today.
In the clip, Erasmus is asked to speak about his views on Ireland and their supporters. While he attempts to downplay the rivalry, he also brings up the topic of apparent arrogance shown by the Irish fans on the back of the team's achievements in recent times.
𝘙𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘴
Take your seats and get the popcorn ready! 🍿
Press play on Episode 1: Rassie on Irish fans.#ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/xyAk1bDPJW
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 4, 2024
Contrary to what most people think, I can say nothing bad about the Irish. The media likes to hype it up a lot.
I loved it when I was there. The Irish certainly, when I got there, minded me a lot with my tough Afrikaans accent. I learned a hell of a lot when I was there, I'm very good friend with most of the players there.
I just think sometimes, and I'm going to say it as it is, people are a bit jealous that a country like them with only four or five million people is no. 1 or 2 in the world. They only have 160 professional rugby players.
When they do really well, they are very proud and outspoken about it. You guys are a bit full of yourselves, you're a bit windgat (show-off), and now you see (after World Cup exit).
It's not something in the Irish culture that is frowned upon. It's passion, it's we love our team. Listen, if you're going to come our way, we are going to give you some stick.
I wouldn't be too hard on them. They're proud of what they're achieving, they want to be competitive and they rate themselves with the teams up there.
South Africa have certainly made a point of calling out supposed Irish arrogance in the recent past, with that being a valid argument in some instances.
In saying that, it does seem as though the Springboks have overblown the issue in an attempt to motivate themselves ahead of this summer's meetings between the sides. They have used that sort of siege mentality brilliantly in the past and will look to do so once again over the next couple of weeks.
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