Nick praises Rassie for stamping out provincialism at the Boks

ONE of the big secrets to Rassie Erasmus's success has been "to make the Springboks bigger than the provinces", says former national coach Nick Mallett.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Mallett was the guest in the latest episode of "Rassie+", the Bok coach's podcast series that aims to inform the public about how things work at the world champions.

Erasmus was given his Springbok debut by Mallett back in 1997, and would win his first 16 Test matches as Mallett guided the Boks through a golden era.

Erasmus, a dynamic flank, lost just nine of his 37 Tests, and 35 of his appearances were under Mallett.

Mallett told Erasmus that one of his biggest accomplishments was to overcome rampant provincialism.

"Rassie, I couldn't get it right but you have done it," Mallett said on the podcast this week.

"When you were first appointed, myself and other former coaches met with you and warned that your biggest challenges would be transforming the side and eliminating provincialism.

"You have succeeded brilliantly on both counts.

"Rassie, you have made the Springboks bigger than the provinces.