Springboks: Rassie Erasmus joined by hundreds of fans on annual Christmas Day walk in Cape Town
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus with fans during his Christmas Walk in Cape Town.
Rassie Erasmus was the proverbial talk of the town in Cape Town on Thursday when he led hundreds of Springboks fans on his annual Christmas walk in the city.
A fortnight ago, the Springboks head coach issued an invitation on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to the world champions’ supporters to join him on his Christmas walk along the Cape Town coastline.
“This is to thank you for your passionate support and the way you carry us,” wrote Erasmus. “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie (They don’t know what we know).”
Early start to six kilometre walk
The six kilometre walk started at six o’clock in the morning in the suburb of Bloubergstrand, where Erasmus lives, and walkers then headed to the neighbouring suburb of Table View before returning to the starting point.
Erasmus, who held his popular Christmas walk for the first time along the same route in 2024, revealed his reasoning around the initiative and how the idea came about.
“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),” he told SABC News.
“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.
“So, no rules we just get together walk three three kilometres out three kilometres back, sign a few things, give a photo or so and everybody goes and do their thing.”
The 53-year-old revealed that the Christmas walk is his way of saying thank you to the Springboks faithful and said he appreciates the support which they receive from their fans.
Giving thanks to Springboks supporters
“It means everything. If they weren’t there, we would be playing in front of nobody and for nobody so when we can and do mix with people it’s just (great),” said Erasmus.
“I live here in Blouberg and I know most of the people here,” he added. 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.”
The 2025 rugby season was another successful one for the Springboks as they are firmly entrenched as the top ranked side in World Rugby’s official rankings list.
South Africa recently won all five of their Tests during the Autumn Nations Series campaign and earlier this year they also defended their Rugby Championship title.
The Springboks finished their 2025 international campaign with an 86,67% success ratio after winning 13 out of 15 Tests played during the year.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
