Brits: South Africa’s ‘secret’ to success is the process

Schalk Brits says South Africa’s rugby success isn’t about one World Cup it’s about trusting a long-term process that began back in 2018. From Rassie’s bold calls to building depth and adaptability, Brits lifts the lid on what really makes the Boks tick.

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“I don’t see it as just one, two, or three games. It’s already there if you go back to 2018. You have to understand the process. The process is the secret.

“In 2018, Rassie took over after record losses against Ireland and New Zealand, when we were seventh in the world. Even then, you focus on what gives the biggest return on time spent: defence, set-piece, and the kicking game.

“The idea was to evolve, starting in 2019. Even then, we said the probability of winning the World Cup in 2019 was very small because we lacked experience. We needed a bit of luck, and we got lucky by playing the percentages.

“The plan from 2019 to 2023 was to further evolve our game. Unfortunately, COVID came and stopped that evolution. Then the Lions tour came, leaving us with only a short period before 2023 to evolve again.

“Through a lot of grit and hard work – and a bit of luck – things went our way. We lost against Ireland, and in the knockouts, we won by one point, one point, and one point, right? Take France, England, New Zealand.

“This is probably the first four-year rotation where he can actually install a full plan. From 2019 to 2023, he gave a lot of guys exposure. You don’t want “key individual risk” in your team. If Handré Pollard gets injured, you’re in big trouble. It happened with Malcolm Marx twice.”

Since 2023, players have had more exposure – that takes bravery

“So, what has he done since 2023? He’s given more exposure to other players. He brought in Tony Brown as a new defence coach, saying, “Let’s evolve the game to where we are.”

“We have the belief now. We will still lose games, for example, the game we lost against Australia recently. We overplayed that game. He said we don’t have the capacity yet to play an all-expansive game; we need to pull back a little bit. But those are the mistakes we will make in order to grow.

“The evolution of the team is so impressive. It’s not just a key man like Pollard doing the same thing. You’ve got Pollard, who you know will win the game by playing in the right areas. But now he brings in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok.”

“He brings Andre Esterhuizen in, who can cover flanker if a red or yellow card comes. Kwagga Smith was the previous impact player; now Andre is an impact player, and he can still use Kwagga as well. Damian Willemse is playing 15, 12, and 10. Our scrum-halves can play wing.

“He’s trying to build athletes, even though you will always need a lock. He picks flankers and locks who can play multiple positions, giving you flexibility of choice. It takes bravery and guts to get to that position.”

Rassie isn’t just about controversy – we are pushing the boundaries

“Rassie isn’t just full of controversy; how he’s evolved the squad is spectacular. It feels like we are pushing the boundaries, and everyone else is trying to keep up with what Rassie is doing.

“In the past, we would follow Australia and New Zealand’s playing style. Now, it feels like for once, we are bringing expertise outside of South Africa into the game, and the rest are following us.

“It’s amazing what is happening. Teams are evolving, some a little slower than others. The game is in a good spot, except for how it is being managed.

“If I were still playing, I would be extremely frustrated by the way the game is managed by the guy with the whistle and the guys who make the decisions. I want to see a spectacle with 15 players on the pitch. I think they’re pushing a certain narrative, but is it harming the game? Is pushing safety so hard actually detrimental to the quality of the spectacle?”

Move away from Super Rugby has been beneficial for Springboks

“I think there are a couple of things we have to be thankful for. When we moved away from Super Rugby… although New Zealand and Australia were quite dominant in that competition, and we had stages of dominance, moving away played a vital part in our growth. Although Super Rugby is very exciting, it doesn’t always prepare you best for Test match rugby.

“Then, consider that we are now playing in the North and getting used to those conditions. We’re playing more in the Investec Champions Cup and the URC. That has prepped us to play a better, more set-piece-orientated game, which is crucial for Test matches and the fine margins involved.

“From my personal experience, I could not believe the impact of a knock-on or an error in your own half up there. Especially if it’s wet and cold and you can’t kick the ball as far, it takes you ages to get out of your own half.

“So, I think the adaptation of moving North to South – rather than West to East – the exposure we get during the Champions Cup has actually played perfectly into our hands.”

Springboks will keep pushing boundaries – it’s a team to be proud of

“We are mid-cycle, but, the reality is that in 2018, nobody thought we were going to win the World Cup either.

“Rassie and that coaching group – and the players themselves – will keep pushing the boundaries. The one thing Rassie hates is complacency and entitlement. He will keep fighting against those things that creep in when you are successful.

“He will remind the players quite frankly that it’s not just about winning a rugby match or a World Cup; it’s about giving hope to our country. When your “why” is rightly defined, it makes everything a lot better because you understand the sacrifice required for the country.

“The last one was all about creating our first team to win back-to-back titles. Now, aiming for a third time… that is something that would always be remembered. Nobody has done three in a row.

“With all due respect, if you look at the game in South Africa: 1995 was predominantly white. Then you had 2007, with John Smit as captain – a great win in France. Then take Siya Kolisi, the first Black captain in 2019: the diversity of the viewer base has grown exponentially.

“Now, every South African is supporting the Springboks. It’s a team they can be proud of. That support has played a vital role in the success of the Springboks because the players know exactly how important this is for our country.”

Rassie is not scared of age – he picked me for World Cup win at 38

“I don’t know. Siya and Eben are pretty much the same age. Looking at Siya’s performance, to be fair, he could still play the World Cup after that!

“But the reality is Rassie will look at the data – exactly how many meters you run, how many tackles you make. It is very stats-driven, and he will tell you if your performance level isn’t there.

“He is not scared of age at all. I mean, I was 38 and a half when he picked me to play in 2019.

“His viewpoint is simply: if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. It applies to the upper end of the scale too. It makes no difference to him if you are 19 or 38; if you are good enough, he picks you.”

Rassie is playing chess, while others are playing checkers

“I think there is sometimes a bigger plan and a bigger picture that we as supporters don’t always see.

“There is stats analysis regarding scoring just before halftime, just after halftime, and the crucial minutes within a game where there’s a “lull period.” They’ll do the analysis and determine the best time to make substitutions.

“But if a player is “off” on a particular day, he will literally take you off the pitch after 20 minutes. As a player, you know that as well.

“If your performance on the day is not good enough – he won’t keep you on the pitch just because of the effect it might have on the player.

“When I talk about entitlement or ego, you put that quickly in your pocket. He’ll look at your numbers, and if you’re not good enough, he’ll tell you by taking you off.

“It shows the bravery of the guy, because then his plan needs to change late in the game. He knows if he pulls a player early – if he “goes hard on the horse or the bishop” early-on there are certain things that leave him exposed at the back end of the game.

“But he is very clear on his way. He is brave, and he is not scared to test, evolve, and make mistakes, because through mistakes you learn. You have to be aggressive in this game.

He plays a game of chess while others play checkers.”