Kermit Erasmus : An insight | News
Since Sunday evening, the fans of Stade Rennais have been licking their wounds following another match which, under Rolland Courbis, ended without the team scoring from open play.
The previous three goals under the new manager’s tenure have been last gasp and were two own goals and a penalty. This has led to calls for other players to be given the striker’s role including Kermit Erasmus, a late transfer from South African outfit Orlando Pirates.
Most fans of Rennes have heard good things about the mysterious new signing but he has yet to play for the first team. The South African international has made a couple of appearances for the reserves and scored in one of those matches with an audacious chip.
We Are Rennes has managed to acquire an interview with South African football reporter, Chad Klate, who was able to tell us a bit more about the man so many fans are wanting to see.
What sort of reputation did Kermit Erasmus have in South Africa while playing at Supersport United and then onto Orlando Pirates?
“Kermit Erasmus first made a name for himself at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt, where he scored four goals in five games to help South Africa to the Round of 16 – their highest finish at the youth championships in the country’s history.
“Despite his great World Cup campaign, Erasmus failed to make a lasting impression back in Rotterdam, where he was loaned out to S.B.V Excelsior – the satellite club of Feyenoord – before eventually returning to South Africa in 2010. Much was expected of the once promising youngster back at his original club SuperSport United, but 20 goals in three season left many feeling underwhelmed by his return.
“When he moved to Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, Erasmus cited a lack of growth at his former club, where he was often used as a wide player rather than in his preferred position as a forward. The move yielded positive results for the 25-year-old as he managed to reach career-high figures of 16 goals in 30 starts in the 2014/15 campaign – more than double his previous best statistics.
“Erasmus also helped Pirates to the final of the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup (the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League), ending the competition on five goals - one behind the top goal-scorer - while also being named on the 10–man shortlist for CAF African Player of the Year (based in Africa).”
What would you describe Erasmus' best qualities and what are his weaknesses?
“During his time in the Netherlands, Erasmus learnt excellent shooting technique with both his feet and often finds small spaces to unleash powerful strikes. He also uses his short, stocky frame to his advantage as he is able to skip through tight spaces, while also using his strength to hold off defenders. He is also great at dropping into midfield to collect the ball before using his excellent vision to pick out a defence-splitting pass.
“While being a great asset in attack, his greatest weakness is his failure to track back and help in defence once possession is turned over to the opponents. He also struggles for consistency, which is detrimental his confidence as a striker.”
Do you think that he can adapt from African football into European football, was this aspect of his game helped at his two years at Feyenoord?
“Erasmus may find it tough to re-adapt to European football after his five-year spell back in South Africa, however, with his maturity and experience gained while playing in African club competitions, his natural ability to produce flashes of individual brilliance while also being able to play to the strength of his teammates could prove an asset to his new club, Rennes.”
Having met Erasmus and interviewed him before, what type of person would you describe him as?
“Erasmus is a soft-spoken, humble individual who fully believes in his ability as a footballer. He is passionate about his craft and can be emotional at times (last year he took to twitter to retaliate after being snubbed by the South African national team for the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations), but has never shown ill-discipline or disrespect. He is very family orientated, and has never been in the media for the wrong reasons.”
Erasmus has only featured for South Africa eight times in the past six years, why do you think that is and do you think the move to Rennes will help his chances in playing more games?
“Despite showing great potential at the under-20 World Cup in 2009, the senior men’s national team coach at the time, Carlos Alberto Pereira, did not see fit to include the then 18-year-old in his plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Erasmus eventually made his senior debut after his return to SuperSport United in September 2010, but failed to command a regular place in the side due to the changes in technical staff as well as his inconsistent performances.
“However, it can be argued that his absence from the national team has been largely unfair, especially in the last 18 months. Due to his reputation with the national team, specifically under current head coach Ephraim Mashaba, Erasmus may need to contribute much more to the Rennes first team if he is to win the attention of the selectors. The fact that he is back in Europe will certainly cause selectors to monitor his progress and, as such, he might have a better chance of making into the team in future.”
What was the reaction, if there was any, from the South African media towards Erasmus’ move to Stade Rennais?
“Erasmus’ move came as somewhat of a surprise to the media as well as the Orlando Pirates head coach, Eric Tinkler, himself. There was no media speculation or prior update on the player’s contract situation from the club, before images on Twitter surfaced that the striker had officially penned a deal with Stade Rennais. Many were stunned by the sudden departure of Erasmus, however, it was previously documented that he had been in search of a move back to Europe.”
Thanks to Chad Klate for this interview, you can find him at ‘Kick Off Magazine’ and his Twitter handle is @CKlatey.
