At the Boktown launch, Minister Gayton McKenzie praised Rassie Erasmus as South Africa’s unifier. “We dare not lose him.”
“We Dare Not Lose Rassie Erasmus”: McKenzie Urges SA to Honour Rugby’s Greatest Unifier
Johannesburg – Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie delivered a passionate and politically charged speech at the Castle Lager Boktown launch in Bryanston, declaring rugby coach Rassie Erasmus a national symbol of unity and social cohesion.
“We dare not lose Rassie Erasmus,” McKenzie said. “We need to build a statue for Rassie. What he has done for social cohesion in this country is unbelievable … Rassie is a national treasure that should serve with the best of resources so he can continue this legacy.”
McKenzie praised Erasmus not only for his back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023, but for transforming rugby into a symbol of inclusivity and unity.
“When last did you hear complaints that there’s no black players in rugby?” he asked. “Rassie made us believe again.”
While Erasmus is contracted to coach the Springboks through the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, McKenzie expressed concern over international interest, warning that countries like Australia and New Zealand are eyeing him.
“It’s time that you make sure that you extend the contract of Rassie. We cannot wait for contract negotiations … I know what all the other winners have told me — they want Rassie to come and coach them,” he warned SA Rugby officials.
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“We’ve lost our way — sport can bring us back”
McKenzie’s broader message was one of racial healing and national unity, using sport as a call to action.
“We as South Africans, we’re the children of Nelson Mandela. But I must admit this here today; we’ve lost our way somewhere. Racism has divided some of us — white racism, black racism, Indian racism, and coloured racism. It has made us forget about the dream of Nelson Mandela,” he said.
“Sport is our strength … it reminds us who our father is. And we should not let things like lies about the genocide, or slogans like ‘Kill the Boer, kill the farmer’ rubbish divide us. We are way better than who the racists want us to be.”
McKenzie expressed deep appreciation for rugby, cricket, football and the role of corporate partners such as SA Breweries and Castle Lager, who he credited with “bringing that togetherness back.”
“The best President rugby ever had”
McKenzie also took a moment to publicly praise Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby.
“You’ve done a phenomenal job. I can say it publicly — you’re the best president that rugby has ever had in history.”
Alexander, who was re-elected in 2022, has helped oversee the transformation and global success of SA Rugby, alongside Erasmus.
The genius of Rassie
Erasmus’ reign began in 2018, after years of Springbok underperformance. Rather than chase short-term success, Erasmus focused on long-term succession planning and rebuilding team morale.
His leadership led to South Africa becoming the only team to win three Rugby World Cups, with victories in Japan (2019) and France (2023). The next chapter — Operation 2027 — is already underway.
His coaching philosophy isn’t just about game plans — it’s deeply rooted in player empowerment, cultural understanding, and the never-say-die mentality that helped the Springboks edge three one-point games at the last World Cup.
“The players love him. The fans believe in him. He’s changed the culture of rugby in this country,” one insider remarked.
And while the toll of leading the national team has been high — even contributing to his recent divorce — Erasmus remains committed. With his new contract in place, he’ll lead the Boks through at least the next tournament.
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