What former Bok mentors told Rassie Erasmus after taking on head coach role

Former Springbok mentor Rassie Erasmus has candidly shared what pearls of wisdom were shared with him after taking on the role of head coach.

In a new column, writing for UK publication Daily Mail, Erasmus touched on a number of topics from England rugby, red-hot France and World Cup prospects.

He was sympathetic to his England counterpart Eddie Jones who has been facing widespread criticism following another underwhelming Six Nations campaign.

Erasmus wrote he doesn't believe that Jones is suddenly a bad coach, saying 18 months before the World Cup in Japan, he was in a similar position with people calling for his head.

As it turned out, Erasmus would orchestrate a third World Cup crown for the Boks.

"Everyone has been talking about the World Cup this week. Who is ready? Who isn't ready? Should Eddie Jones get fired? Should Wayne Pivac get fired? Should Gregor Townsend get fired? Should the bus driver get fired? Every coach has been there," Erasmus began.

"When South Africa lost to Australia and Argentina before the 2019 World Cup, people were asking if I should get fired."

He then gave the reader a glimpse into how he warmed up to his challenge with the Boks.

Writes Erasmus: "When I took on the role, I booked a room upstairs at The Fat Butcher restaurant in Stellenbosch and spent three or four hours drinking wine and eating steak with former Springbok coaches. They gave me so much different advice, but there was one thing that came out of everyone's mouth."

They said:

Rumours about Jones' future - and that of Erasmus - remains a hot button issue. 

England finished third in this year's premier northern competition, behind eventual winners France and Ireland.

The Springboks will this year host Wales in an incoming series this