Rassie Erasmus receives Honorary Doctorate from NWU in emotional ceremony
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Erasmus fought back tears during the ceremony which took place on Thursday, after it was announced in March that NWU would award the honorary doctorate to the 51-year-old, who guided South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023.
Among those in attendance to celebrate the momentous occasion with the Bok coach was Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
NWU’s principal and vice-chancellor Professor Bismark Tyobeka paid tribute to Erasmus.
“Rassie is here today not because of his popularity – although I think many politicians are grateful he will not be standing as a candidate during the upcoming elections. He is here because of the impact he has made on our country that will last a lifetime,” he said.
“He has always been part of winning teams, and now he is part of a winning university.
“Rassie, the world has had its eye on you for many years now, but so have we at the North-West University. We saw how you made big differences, and small ones.
“We saw your unselfish dedication as you turned a struggling team into the most successful one in the country’s history. We watched as you showed that if diversity is embraced in the right way, the results will speak for themselves.
“We looked on as you and your Springboks made South Africa a global brand characterised by resilience, grit and determination.
“Rassie, today an honorary doctorate will be bestowed on you in recognition of your innovative and exceptional management of the Springboks during your victorious 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup campaigns, of your significant standing in the international rugby coaching arena, of your strong drive and focus on diversity and inclusion, and of your commitment to social responsibility.
“This honorary doctorate is for all that, and more. Because: Rassie, jy is n yster (Rassie you are a champion).”
A visibly emotional Erasmus said receiving the honorary doctorate was a huge honour and a moment which he will always cherish.
He also thanked Professor Bismark Tyobeka, Professor Awie Kotzé, NWU’s executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Bertus le Roux from NWU’s Centre for Human Health Performance, for their roles in awarding him an honorary doctorate.
“I was really out of my comfort zone, and was more nervous than playing a Test in front of 80 000 people,” he joked.
“I now really feel part of the North-West University. They are my kind of people.”
Kolisi also commended his coach on his latest achievement and for mentoring him throughout his career.
“I want to say congratulations to coach Rassie, he really deserves it,” he said.
“He gave me my first contract when I was 18, so I have experienced everything that he has done. I was very naughty, and he guided me. For some reason he stuck with me, but said I can do so much more with my talent, but that I wasn’t using it.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without him, my family wouldn’t be where they are without him and my community wouldn’t be where they are without him. As a coach he made us play for South Africa, and not for ourselves. We are such a diverse country, but he made every single person in our group feel safe and heard.
“We are all indebted to him.”