Coach Rassie Erasmus guided the Springboks to the 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph while battling a life-threatening disease that required chemotherapy during the tournament.
According to the Rapport, Erasmus was battling the rare autoimmune disease called “microscopic polyangiitis with granulomatosis” throughout 2019, and he required treatment before and during the successful World Cup campaign.
"Rassie was treated for a serious condition in 2019, from which he has recovered,” an SA Rugby spokesperson told rugby365 on Sunday.
“He thanks people for their concern but wishes to keep the matter private.”
According to Erasmus’ doctor, Johan Theron, he developed a rare strain of the disease, which could have been fatal.
JOIN THE RUCK
“He really doubted at one stage whether he would be able to push through with his position as Springbok coach,” Theron told the Rapport.
The disease is caused by blood vessel inflammation and the areas most affected are the kidneys, lung, nerves, skin, and joints.
British & Irish Lions predicted 2021 starting XV according to the bookies
Fullback: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales 4/7)
Other contenders: Stuart Hogg (Scotland 4/6), Jordan Larmour (Ireland EVS), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales 5/1), George Furbank (England 7/2)
Left wing: JONNY MAY (England 1/25)
Other contenders: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland 1/3), Adam Radwan (England 40/1), Jack Nowell (England 11/4), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales 13/8)
Outside-centre: JONATHAN DAVIES (Wales 1/3)
Other contenders: Henry Slade (England 5/6), Garry Ringshow (Ireland 4/6), Jonathan Joseph (England 13/8), Chris Harris (Scotland 20/1), Huw Jones (Scotland 6/1)
Inside-centre: MANU TUILAGI (England 1/3)
Other contenders: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland 5/6), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales 5/4), Sam Johnson (Scotland 9/2)
Right wing: JOSH ADAMS (Wales 1/18)
Other contenders: Anthony Watson (England 4/6), George North (Wales 2/1), Elliot Daly (England 10/11), Joe Cokanasiga (England 3/1), Keith Earls (Ireland 9/2)
Fly-half: OWEN FARRELL (England 1/25)
Other contenders: Johnny Sexton (Ireland 1/2), Dan Biggar (Wales 8/15), Finn Russell (Scotland 3/1), Marcus Smith (England 8/1)
Scrum-half: CONOR MURRAY (Ireland 4/6)
Other contenders: Tomos Williams (Wales 5/4), Ben Youngs (England 6/4), Ali Price (Scotland 2/1)
Looshead-prop: MAKO VUNIPOLA (England 4/6)
Other contenders: Ellis Genge (England 1/3), Cian Healy (Ireland 5/6), Joe Marler (England 5/2)
Hooker: JAMIE GEORGE (England 1/10)
Other contenders: Luke Cowan-Dickie (England 4/6), Ken Owens (Wales 7/4), Stuart McInally (Scotland 7/2)
Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland 1/15)
Other contenders: Kyle Sinckler (England 1/5), Tomas Francis (Wales 11/8), Harry Williams (England 5/1)
Lock: MATO ITOJE (England 1/10)
Other contenders: James Ryan (Ireland 1/5), Jonny Gray (Scotland 8/11)
Lock: ALUN WYN JONES (Wales 1/5)
Other contenders: Iain Henderson (Ireland 4/6), Courtney Lawes (England 5/4), George Kruis (England 7/2), Jean Kleyn (Ireland 33/1), Richie Gray (Scotland 5/1)
Blindside-flanker: TOM CURRY (England 1/7)
Other contenders: Peter O'Mahony (Ireland 7/4), Lewis Ludlam (England 11/4), Jamie Ritchie (Scotland 10/1)
Openside-flanker: SAM UNDERHILL (England 1/4)
Other contenders: Hamish Watson (Scotland 8/11), James Davies (Wales 10/1)
Number 8: BILLY VUNIPOLA (England 1/4)
Other contenders: CJ Stander (Ireland 1/3), Taulupe Faletau (Wales 11/10), Ross Moriarty (Wales 5/1)
