Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus sent an inspirational message to SA's rising young atheltics stars competing at the World Athletics U20 Champs in the US.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has urged South Africa's rising athletics stars to believe in themselves, embrace the pressure of international competition and wear the green and gold with pride as Team SA made an encouraging start to the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The world champion rugby coach recorded a special message for the national team before the championships in the US, encouraging the teenage athletes to trust the hard work that had earned them a place on the global stage.
"Being successful isn't always winning," Erasmus told the squad in a video clip shared on the Team SA social media accounts. "It's just being there and representing your country and wearing the colours of your country. Take that in – you are there and you are doing it for South Africa."
Those words appeared fitting as 16-year-old shot putter Jaco van Dyk delivered South Africa's first medal of the championships on Wednesday.
