Bok star on the Rassie effect

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus is by far the best coach says World Cup winner Vincent Koch.

The Sharks prop is as well-travelled as it gets having plied his trade in the English Premiership with Saracens and the Top 14 with Stade Francais, before landing back in his homeland of South Africa ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Koch has worked alongside some of the best coaches the game has ever seen.

However, there's one man who stands head and shoulders above all the rest as far as he's concerned.

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When asked who is the best coach he has ever had in his career, Koch did not hesitate for one second, stating: “Easy answer. Rassie Erasmus."

Koch praised the mentor's immense knowledge of rugby.

Erasmus was the mastermind behind the Springboks' back-to-back World Cup wins in 2019 and 2023.

“By far the best coach that I have ever worked with, and I think in our generation there will never be another coach like that.

“The way he thinks, the way he treats the people – it's just unbelievable.

“The way he creates an environment for people to stick around and get along with each other is something that stands out the most.

“And his knowledge of rugby is just unbelievable."

Koch revealed that Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has been the most influential during his journey to becoming a professional rugby player.

Koch played under Stonehouse's guidance during 2012 and 2016 before the prop joined the Stormers.

Stonehouse led the Pumas to their first-ever Currie Cup trophy in 2022.

“There are two that I want to elaborate on,” Koch said.

“My high-school coach was a guy that disciplined us and made us realise what it will take to become a professional rugby player.

“He's a guy that took the naughty side out and made be a bearable kid in class, you know?

“Teachers complained a lot about me but he fixed that.

“And then Jimmy Stonehouse at the Pumas. He was a guy who taught me what hard work was,  what it takes to fight and that nothing in life is just gonna be given to you.

“You have to work your way up there.

“Those two played a huge role in my career in the early stages.”

Source: @URCOfficial