By Adnaan Mohamed
If Christmas had a team talk, Rassie Erasmus delivered it in takkies, not a tracksuit. And instead of white lines and whistles, he used a seaside promenade and the gentle rhythm of footsteps.
On Christmas morning, the Springboks head coach once again became Cape Town’s most followed pedestrian, drawing hundreds of supporters to the Blouberg coastline after issuing an open invitation on social media.
“This is to thank you for your passionate support and the way you carry us,” Erasmus wrote. “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie” (They don’t know what we know).”
At precisely 06:00, because even festive strolling runs on Bok-standard time, the six-kilometre walk rolled out from outside Doodles Beachfront Restaurant.
The route was simple, symmetrical and suspiciously well conditioned: three kilometres out, three kilometres back, with Table View as the turning point and Christmas breakfast waiting at full-time.
The tradition, now in its second year, began the way most good ideas do: accidentally.
“Merry Christmas to you guys as well. We just started last year, I think it was the night before Christmas and a few friends said let’s go for a walk, and a few guys in the neighborhood (joined us),” said Erasmus.
“We sent messages on What’s App and told people whose maybe lonely or family that wants to join and this year, I think it doubled (in size) or something like that.”
There were no bibs, no briefings and mercifully no shuttle runs.
“So, no rules we just get together, walk three kilometres out, three kilometres back, sign a few things, give a photo or so and everybody goes and do their thing,” said Erasmus, effectively unveiling the most relaxed Springbok camp session ever staged.
Beneath the humour and flip-flops sat a serious point. This was Erasmus’ way of tipping his cap to the supporters who fill stadiums, timelines and living rooms.
“It means everything. If they weren’t there, we would be playing in front of nobody and for nobody,” he said.
“I live here in Blouberg and I know most of the people here. I know a lot (of them) are not from Blouberg, who drove here.
“But it’s just a small little thank you to them and (a chance) to mingle with them on the ground. We sometimes don’t get a chance to do that so it’s wonderful.”
While the Springboks continue to march relentlessly at the top of World Rugby, their head coach chose, just for one morning, to slow the tempo. No trophies, no tactics.
He just a shared walk, a few selfies and the quiet reminder that even world champions occasionally win simply by putting one foot in front of the other.
