Roc Nation Powerfully Backs Mzwandile Stick as Heir Apparent to Rassie Erasmus

Roc Nation confirms Mzwandile Stick is being mentored to succeed Rassie Erasmus as Springbok head coach. Read about his journey from New Brighton to the world stage.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 3:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

The "Dream" of Leading the World Champions

What has been discussed in hushed tones for years is now an explicit strategic goal: Mzwandile Stick is being groomed to lead the Springboks. Michael Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International, made no secret of the fact that the agency believes Stick is a head coach in the making. "That is a goal of his, a dream of his," Yormark stated, confirming that Stick remains the only coach currently on the RNSI books a deliberate choice to ensure exclusive support for his ascent. The agency has committed to "equipping" the backline assistant with the resources and profile necessary to manage the most prestigious role in South African sports.

From New Brighton to the Global Stage

The narrative of Stick’s rise is one of resilience and "son of the soil" authenticity. Tamsanqa Ncwana, Head of Rugby Recruiting for RNSI in South Africa, shared personal insights into Stick’s journey from the townships of Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). Born on October 5, 1984, Stick was a standout talent in the New Brighton rugby scene before captaining the Blitzboks to their first-ever World Series title in 2009. His coaching career began in 2013 with the Eastern Province U21s, eventually leading the EP Under-19 side to a historic provincial title in 2015 the first in the province's history. These grassroots successes formed the bedrock of a coaching philosophy that combines technical skill with deep emotional intelligence.

The Erasmus Connection and Professional Redemption

Stick’s journey to the senior Springbok coaching box has not been without adversity. Initially appointed as a backline coach under Allister Coetzee in 2016, he was briefly sidelined before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018. Erasmus recognized Stick’s value, specifically his Sevens-influenced understanding of defensive-to-attacking transitions, and brought him back into the fold. Since then, Stick has been a core member of the coaching panel that secured back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles (2019, 2023) and a British & Irish Lions series win. Having been involved in over 100 Test matches, his transition from assistant to head coach is seen by many as a natural evolution of the current "succession planning" model.