A scene from the Springboks’ documentary, Chasing the Sun 2, shows a furious Rassie Erasmus lambasting his players during a World Cup team meeting. The first episode of the eagerly awaited documentary Chasing the Sun 2 was broadcast on Sunday night, marking the beginning of a five-part series detailing the team’s journey to the 2023 World Cup victory. The opening scene of the first episode presents a tense moment during the Springboks’ journey, particularly during a challenging semi-final match against England. Despite being the favorites, the Springboks were behind 12-6 at halftime, with England controlling and dominating important aspects of the game under challenging weather conditions. The clip from Chasing the Sun 2 offers a rare ‘fly on the wall’ perspective of the Springboks’ locker room during halftime. An irate Erasmus is seen standing among a group of quiet players, chastising them for not living up to their promise of playing as if it were their last game together, accusing them of lying. “You promised me! You lied to me!” he shouts. “You’re a f****g liar!” This moment is not just a display of Erasmus’s intensity but also shows what was necessary to motivate the players for a remarkable comeback, eventually securing a nail-biting one-point victory. The documentary series, which debuted on March 24, 2024, on M-Net and SuperSport Grandstand – channel 201 – will broadcast its next episode on March 31. The first episode’s reception suggests that Chasing the Sun 2 will captivate fans with more intriguing insights throughout the series. Marc Jury, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, commented, “This story transcends rugby. It embodies the essence of being South African, offering a narrative of hope, unity, and resilience that resonates with our national ethos. The decision to air Chasing the Sun 2 during M-Net’s prime movie slot reflects our confidence in its ability to inspire and unify.” Rendani Ramovha, CEO of SuperSport, noted, “The Springboks symbolize national pride and inspiration. Their story showcases our collective strength – a spirit of unity and overcoming challenges. Through Chasing the Sun 2, we aim to revisit those powerful moments and unite as we did during the tournament in France.” The documentary is the result of over 56 days of filming, featuring interviews with more than 30 players and coaches, insights from analysts and journalists, and over 60 hours of interview footage combined with more than 30 hours of game footage. Chasing the Sun 2 is a joint venture between SuperSport and SA Rugby and will be exclusively available on DStv Premium.
