By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Rugby World Cup-winning coach and South African director of rugby, Johan “Rassie” Erasmus, arguably the most decorated South African rugby coach of all time, with two back-to-back Rugby World Cups under his belt, received an honorary doctorate from North-West University (NWU).
The NWU Council approved the decision during their ordinary meeting on Thursday, 16 November 2023.
The request for the awarding of the degree Philosophiae Doctor (Honoris Causa), in the discipline Coaching Science, was made by the NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
The institution said it acknowledged his leadership in the Springboks’ victorious 2019 and 2023 World Cup campaigns, his global coaching stature, and his commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility.
It has also hailed Erasmus for fostering unity and reconciliation, transcending backgrounds and beliefs in the nation.
Prof. Awie Kotzé from the University of North West’s Faculty of Health described Erasmus as someone who has shown himself to be a nation builder of whom the country can be proud.
The embodiment of principles of resilience, determination, and teamwork that we at North-West University hold dear in our educational mission. His contribution to South African rugby both as a strategist and as a nation-builder serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, dedication, and visionary leadership come together.
Erasmus recently signed a four-year contract as South Africa’s head coach, which includes the 2027 global showpiece in Australia.
The 51-year-old returned to the head coach role he filled when the Springboks beat England in the 2019 final before moving up to director of rugby for the 2023 triumph over New Zealand last October.
“The main difference between the last four years and this season is that I will be more hands-on at the field sessions,” Erasmus said.
“In my role as director of rugby, I continued to oversee the team structures and strategy in conjunction with Jacques (Nienaber, the head coach at the 2023 RWC) and the other coaches, so it should be an easy transition into the head coach role.”
The position of director of rugby has been discontinued pending a restructuring at SA Rugby.
Meanwhile Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Management by the Cape Town educational institution CPUT.
CPUT honoured Ellis for her role in uplifting women’s football in the country, this included the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, becoming South Africa’s first continental crown in women’s football.
She also led the team to the quarterfinals at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, becoming the first ever senior national team (men or women) to make it out of the group stages of the global tournament.