The illness that Rassie Erasmus kept secret
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It was a well-kept secret that the World Cup-winning Springboks’ Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, had been suffering from a rare auto immune condition for which he began treatment last year and has now overcome.
The Rapport has revealed that in early in 2019, Erasmus was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis with granulomatosis. He kept the knowledge under wraps so as not to create any kind of distraction for his players as they prepared for their World Cup campaign in Japan.
‘Rassie was treated for a serious condition in 2019, from which he has recovered,’ an SA Rugby spokesperson revealed to Rapport newspaper writer Hendrik Cronjé, ‘He thanks people for their concern but wishes to keep the matter private.’
Erasmus had to undergo chemo therapy to combat the disease which, according to his doctor, Johan Theron, weakened him significantly.
‘Rassie was weak and not himself while he was receiving the treatment. At one stage he really doubted whether he could continue in his position as Springbok coach,’ Theron said.
Thankfully, Erasmus responded well to treatment and showed remarkable courage to not allow the disease to get the better of him. He received his final bout of chemotherapy in March of this year.
