Rassie Erasmus Reveals Abnormal Heart Rate During Springboks’ Tense Victory Over France
It was a match that had the entire nation holding its breath, but for Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, the tension was more than just emotional—it was physical. Following South Africa’s hard-fought 32-17 victory over France at the Stade de France, Erasmus shared a startling health alert from the sidelines.
A Coach’s Pulse Under Pressure
Taking to his social media account, the mastermind behind the Springboks’ strategy posted a screenshot from his smartwatch. The device had flashed a stark warning: “Abnormal high heart rate detected.” The image served as a powerful, unspoken testament to the immense pressure and high-stakes intensity of the international rugby clash.
Despite the Springboks being reduced to 14 men after receiving a red card, the team secured a commanding win against their formidable hosts. The victory was made even more significant as it doubled as a milestone celebration, marking Erasmus’s 50th test as head coach and captain Siya Kolisi’s 100th test cap.
A Victory Forged by Hunger and Sacrifice
In his post-match remarks, Erasmus left no doubt about the team’s mindset. The memory of their last encounter—a nail-biting quarter-final in the 2023 Rugby World Cup—was fresh in their minds, fueling a deep-seated desire for triumph.
“We desperately wanted to win this game,” Erasmus stated. “I know France are ranked fifth in the world. People will say you’re ranked number one so you should beat the team ranked fifth. But playing here, the atmosphere… I think the French can be so proud of their supporters. For us, it was intimidating, but luckily we’d been through this.”
He was quick to deflect praise onto his team and staff, highlighting the collective effort required to secure the win under duress. “There was definitely no calmness,” he admitted with a hint of relief. “But making plans—mostly the assistant coaches and the players—and unfortunately, some guys had to sacrifice. All credit to the whole group.”
Erasmus later took a moment to express his gratitude to the legions of South African fans for their unwavering support, a sentiment that undoubtedly resonated after such a physically and emotionally taxing encounter.
Source: The South African