Rassie Erasmus gets sweet birthday wish from old school

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus received a special birthday wish from his alma mater, Hoërskool Despatch, this week.

The rugby hero turned 54 on Thursday, 5 November.

RASSIE GETS EXCITING BIRTHDAY WISH FROM OLD SCHOOL

On their social media accounts, Hoërskool Despatch – the Eastern Cape High School where Rassie Erasmus matriculated more than 30 years ago – posted a special birthday wish to the Springbok coach. 

In the clip, learners of the Afrikaans medium school performed an upbeat war cry for the rugby hero who turned 54 years old this week.

The school shared: “We are incredibly proud of you, your achievements and the inspiration you are to our learners, our community and South Africa”

Rassie responded to the post with a comment that read: “This is so special! Love Despatch and all of you. Blow the flame high ❤️ Despatcher for life”.

PASSION FOR RUGBY

While attending Hoërskool Despatch, Rassie Erasmus developed a passion for rugby.

In 2018, his former coach, Coenie Strumpher, told SABC News that the rugby hero was an exceptionally talented schoolboy.

He shared: “He was so talented. It didn’t matter in which position he played.”

His former coach, Coenie Strumpher, told SABC News in March 2018 that Erasmus was an exceptionally talented schoolboy.

He recalled moving him from eighthman to flyhalf, saying: “He was so talented. It didn’t matter in which position he played.”

Rassie went on to play professionally for the Free State Cheetahs and Gauteng Lions,  before making his Springbok debut in 1997.

He had 36 test match appearances and played until 2001. As the national team coach, he’s helped the Springboks win back-to-back World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023.

Now dubbed the unofficial “best rugby coach in the world,” Rassie once played alongside legends like Joost van der Westhuizen, Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomery, and Nick Mallett.