[imagesource: Flickr / GovernmentZA]

Today is both a Monday, which is unfortunate, and day 1 095 of 1 449 as Rugby World Cup champions.

No matter how much some overseas journalists moan, we still have pretty much a full year left to enjoy that title before our defence begins in France.

Winning a World Cup as a captain in this country pretty all but guarantees a smooth ride once your career is over. For coaches, it’s less of a sure thing but it does help if you transition straight from coach to Director of Rugby.

Rassie Erasmus’ journey from player to coach to administrator is the subject of a new documentary, Rassie: The Official Film, which will premiere on Sunday, November 13.

SuperSport revealed details over the weekend:

From a young boy in Despatch, his struggles along the way are chronicled in a deeply personal manner. From a childhood that lived through the remnants of apartheid, we see the world through the eyes of young Johan, who grew to become a generational talent on the field.

Recognised as a leader of men, he changed his career path to become a coach using methods ahead of his time.
Engaging, emotional and surprising, this film goes to the heart of a leader much loved in South Africa and respected around the world.

Produced by the makers of the award-winning Chasing The Sun and Two Sides, this is an 80-minute adventure into the mind of the man who looked his challenges in the eye, and gave Springbok fans and players a fresh dose of hope.

What I like about the snippets in the trailer below is that it doesn’t paint a saintly picture of Rassie.

In fact, there have long been tales of his enjoyment of the jol both during his career and post-retirement and to shy away from that would have done his story a disservice.

The trailer was officially released on Saturday:

What a coach indeed.

Set your reminders now for Sunday, November 13 at 8PM, when the doccie will air on M-Net (channel 101 on DStv).

Miss that slot and you get a second bite at the cherry on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211) at 10PM.

For those in need of a good cry – it is Monday, after all – let’s relive this tearjerker moment from Chasing the Sun before we go:

[source:supersport]