Will it be lights out for 'DJ Rassie'?

Published Sep 26, 2006

Share

The Blue Bulls have not received any requests from Free State to allow Cheetahs coach Rassie Erasmus access to the roof of the Loftus Versfeld grandstand so that he can use his "light show" to direct his players' movements.

Erasmus has caused a stir in recent times with the erection of coloured lamps on the roof of the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein to help allegedly convey messages to his players.

Initially he used coloured cards, but then moved on to lights.

It has earned him the nickname of "DJ Rassie", but with his team's impressive record this season, he doesn't mind.

Loftus Versfeld stadium manager Hugo Kemp said they had not received a request yet for such a move from the Cheetahs and would deal with it appropriately if and when it should come.

"It is an interesting option, but at the moment we have received no such request and as such cannot take a decision on it.

"We expect to hear tomorrow (Wednesday) from the Cheetahs when they send through information on their captain's practice and we will be able to debate it then."

Kemp added that there was easy access to the roof at Loftus Versfeld, but that this didn't mean it would be an automatic yes if it was asked for.

"We have easy access and our head coach Heyneke Meyer often has someone tape the game from the roof because it gives a different aspect on the way things are going on the field.

Often you can see things a lot better than from the normal television angles," Kemp added.

"But if we receive such a request we will have to sit and debate whether we will allow it.

"After all, Loftus Versfeld is the home ground of the Blue Bulls and not any other team. That will definitely have to factor into our decision."

"It's something we came up with after the introduction of the technical areas for on-field back-up personnel," Erasmus said on TV recently.

"The medical team are not allowed to run around anymore and we believe this system works better than radios. It also enables me to signal trends or instructions to be relayed to the players because I very much doubt that they can be involved in the game while also keeping an eye on the lights," he added.

"It's nothing more than a different way of having calls or names for certain moves. There's no coach who doesn't send out instructions, normally with the medical guys, and we have simply come up with a new way of doing it."

However, don't put money on the Bulls allowing DJ Rassie to continue his light show this coming weekend.

Related Topics: