Whenever the topic of the world’s best rugby coach comes up, someone is sure to mention the names of Springbok director Rassie Erasmus and England coach Eddie Jones.
When the two crossed swords at the World Cup final in Japan last year, it was Erasmus who had the final touche when South Africa beat England 32-12 to lift the
William Webb Ellis trophy.
WORLD CUP WINNER: Rassie Erasmus
Assistant coach Matthew Proudfoot, was in Erasmus’ corner at the time, but he has since jumped ship and is now helping Jones as forwards mentor.
Of the differences between the two camps, Proudfoot says: “What has been very different is the way Eddie produces his system.
“Eddie wants to build the best rugby environment.
“He pushes every part of the department to be the best they can be, whereas maybe the Springbok environment was about really preserving the Bok identity.”
Assistant coach Matthew Proudfoot
He adds: “Eddie has tried to pull a whole lot of different perspectives into the English model and tried to really make it the best.
“That has required me to grow, requires the players to grow, staff members to grow and to be outside your comfort zone and that has been a very big difference.
“His preparation is exceptional. How holistically he prepares a team.
“He wants us to continually improve the way we do things so, once we’ve trained, he’ll ask us how we could improve that session. He’s got a thirst for improvement of the environment and of the players ...”
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