Kermit Erasmus

Kermit Romeo Erasmus (born 8 July 1990) is a South African professional footballer who plays for South African Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns and the South Africa national team.

Kermit Erasmus
Erasmus in 2016
Personal information
Full name Kermit Romeo Erasmus[1]
Date of birth (1990-07-08) 8 July 1990
Place of birth Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Striker, winger
Club information
Current team
 Mamelodi Sundowns
Number 11
Youth career
Rangers (South Africa)
Park United
SuperSport United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 SuperSport United 10 (1)
2008–2010 Feyenoord 4 (0)
2009–2010 → Excelsior (loan) 35 (11)
2010–2013 SuperSport United 57 (14)
2013–2016 Orlando Pirates 65 (17)
2016–2018 Rennes 10 (0)
2017 → Lens (loan) 12 (1)
2018 AFC Eskilstuna 11 (2)
2018 Vitória de Setúbal 0 (0)
2019–2020 Cape Town City 35 (15)
2020– Mamelodi Sundowns 1 (1)
National team‡
2009 South Africa U-20 4 (3)
2010– South Africa 15 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 08:29, 28 August 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 March 2019

Born in Port Elizabeth, Erasmus moved to Pretoria as a teenager where he made his professional debut with SuperSport United in 2007. He spent the next two seasons in the Netherlands with Feyenoord and Excelsior before returning to SuperSport United. During his second spell with the club, he made over 50 appearances and helped his side to the Nedbank Cup title before joining Orlando Pirates in 2013. He led Pirates to the same cup title in 2015 before leaving to join Rennes in France the following year.

Erasmus struggled with Rennes, however, and shortly after spending a stint on loan at Ligue 2 side, Lens, was released by the club. He spent the remainder of the 2018 in Sweden, with Eskilstuna, and Portugal, with Vitória de Setúbal.

Club career

Early career

Erasmus was groomed by, and graduated from the SuperSport Feyenoord Academy (now SuperSport United Youth Academy) to join Feyenoord but remained at SuperSport United on trial for 2007–08 season.[2] During the campaign, Erasmus made 10 appearances and scored once as Supersport clinched their first ever PSL title.[3]

Feyenoord

On 29 May 2008, Eredivisie side Feyenoord announced the signing of Erasmus on a three-year deal from South African affiliate-club SuperSport United[4] and handed him the no. 15 jersey for the 2008–09 season.[5] He made only four appearances for the Rotterdam club during the campaign[6] and in July 2009 it was announced Erasmus would be loaned to satellite club Excelsior in the Eerste Divisie for the following season. Erasmus, together with compatriot Kamohelo Mokotjo and six other Feyenoord players were loaned to Excelsior as a result of a new partnership between the two Rotterdam-based clubs.[7]

Loan to Excelsior

Erasmus made his debut for Excelsior on 8 August and netted a late, headed equalizer in a 2–2 draw Telstar.[8] By the conclusion of the season, Erasmus had netted 12 goals in 30 appearances whilst on loan at Excelsior.[6] He did not return to Feyenoord, however, and the no.15 jersey he had previously worn was handed to Mokotjo for the upcoming season.[6] During his time in the Netherlands Erasmus was nominated for the 2009 CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year award but lost out in the end to Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah.[9]

Supersport United

On 10 July 2010, it was announced that Erasmus would be returning to South Africa to rejoin SuperSport United after failing to make the grade at Feyenoord.[6] Eleven days after his return, Erasmus made his second appearance for Supersport United and scored what was described as a "sensational strike" in an MTN 8 loss against Moroka Swallows.[10]

On 26 May 2012, Erasmus scored the second goal in Matsatsantsa's 2–0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final.[11] He left Supersport United at the end of the following season having made over 50 league appearances during his second spell at the club.

Orlando Pirates

On 23 July 2013, Irvin Khoza, the Chairman of Orlando Pirates, confirmed the signing of Erasmus from Supersport United.[12] The following day Pirates lodged a request to CAF for Erasmus to be registered for the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign. The request was denied, however, as Erasmus had already represented Supersport United in the CAF Confederations Cup earlier in the season.[13] As per CAF regulations, a player is only eligible to feature for one club in CAF inter-club competitions during the course of a season.[13]

The 2014–15 season proved to be the most fruitful of Erasmus' spell in Soweto as he netted a career-best 10 goals over the course of the PSL campaign. He also scored his first professional hat-trick on 2 May in a 3–0 CAF Confederations Cup win over Gabonese side CF Mounana.[14] Erasmus then crowned the season off in style on 17 May by netting a match-winning brace as Orlando Pirates triumphed 3–1 over Bidvest Wits to lift the 2014 Nedbank Cup.[15]

On 8 January 2016, Erasmus was named in the 18-man CAF Team of the Year.[16] He had also been nominated for the 2015 CAF African-based African Player of the Year award alongside Orlando Pirates teammate Filipe Ovono but eventually lost out to Mbwana Ally Samatta of Tanzania.[17] Eight days later, he netted a late equalizer in 3–3 PSL draw with Maritzburg United, with Pirates having trailed 3–0 in the first half.[18] The goal proved to be Erasmus' final contribution for the Sea Robbers as the following week he completed a move to French Ligue 1 side Rennes.

Rennes
Erasmus spent two seasons in France with Rennes (pictured) and Lens.

On 28 January 2016, Erasmus signed for Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[19] He made his debut for the club on 13 March, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Pedro Henrique in a 2–2 draw with Lyon.[20] His only other appearance for the season came on the final day of the campaign in a 2–1 loss to Bastia which saw Rennes end eighth in Ligue 1.[21] He made his first appearance of the following campaign in Rennes' opening match of the season, coming on as a second-half substitute for Gélson Fernandes in a 1–0 defeat to Nice.[22]

Loan to Lens

On 21 January 2017, Erasmus signed for Ligue 2 side RC Lens for the remainder of the season.[23] He scored once in 12 league appearances for the club, with the goal coming on the final day of the season as Lens narrowly missed out on promotion.[24] He returned to Rennes at the end of the campaign but, by February 2018 failed to make another appearance and was released by the club.[25]

AFC Eskilstuna

On 26 March 2018, Erasmus signed a two year-deal with AFC Eskilstuna, newly relegated to Superettan, Sweden's second tier.[26] He went on to play 11 league games for the club, scoring twice, during the season.[27]

Vitória

On 17 August 2018, he transferred to Portuguese club Vitória de Setúbal in the Primeira Liga.[27]

Cape Town City Football Club

On 18 December 2018, Erasmus signed for PSL side Cape Town City.[28]

International career

Youth

Erasmus represented South Africa at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt and scored three goals throughout the course of the tournament.[29]

Senior

Erasmus was called up to the senior squad for the first time in March 2008 for South Africa's friendly against Zimbabwe. In doing so, he was in line to break the record then-held by former captain Aaron Mokoena and become South Africa's youngest ever full international.[2] He did not take to the field and had to wait until 4 September 2010 before he made his debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Katlego Mphela against Niger in a 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier.[30] Erasmus had to wait a further three years before scoring his first goal for South Africa, finally netting in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Botswana on 7 September 2013.[31]

Personal life

In 2010 Erasmus starred in the award-winning feature Documentary film Soka Afrika which highlighted the plight of young footballers across Africa.[32] He was dating Lauren Koehoorn for 8 years until they broke up in 2018. The couple have two children together.

Career statistics

Club
As of 1 October 2020[33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup1 League Cup2 Continental3 Other4 Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SuperSport United 2007–08 Premier Soccer League 10100000000101
Feyenoord 2008–09 Eredivisie 400000200060
Excelsior (loan) 2009–10 Eerste Divisie 3112100000403612
SuperSport United 2010–11 PSL 19400112000225
2011–12 PSL 19510000000205
2012–13 PSL 19520100000225
Total 5714302100006415
Orlando Pirates 2013–14 PSL 26421400000325
2014–15 PSL 2610204200003212
2015–16 PSL 13331000000164
Total 6517728200008021
Rennes 2015–16 Ligue 1 200000000020
2016–17 Ligue 1 8020000000100
Total 10020000000120
Lens (loan) 2016–17 Ligue 2 12100100040131
AFC Eskilstuna 2018 Superettan 11200000000112
Vitória F.C. 2018–19 Primeira Liga 000010000010
Cape Town City 2018–19 PSL 13300000000133
2019–20 PSL 2513000000002513
Total 3816000000003816
Mamelodi Sundowns 2020–21 PSL 110000001021
Career total 23965132123205027169

1 Includes Telkom Knockout and KNVB Beker matches. 2 Includes MTN 8 matches. 3 Includes UEFA Europa League and CAF Champions League matches. 4 Includes Jupiler Playoff matches.

Appearances in CAF Confederations Cup
Year Club Appearances Goals
2013SuperSport United51
2015Orlando Pirates105
Total 156

International
As of 13 October 2020[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Africa 201020
201110
201210
201341
201430
201731
201830
201910
Total182
As of 13 October 2020[34]
Scores and results list South Africa's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Erasmus goal.
List of international goals scored by Kermit Erasmus
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
17 September 2013Moses Mabhida Stadium Durban, South Africa Botswana1–04–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
225 March 2017Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa Guinea-Bissau1–03–1Friendly

Honours

Club

Supersport United

Orlando Pirates

Individual

References
  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 – List of Players" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). p. 16. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  2. "Erasmus can make history". Supersport. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  3. "Erasmus returning to Holland". KickOff. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. "Feyenoord Legt Kermit Erasmus Vast" [Feyenoord sign Kermit Erasmus] (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  5. "Rugnummers Eerste Training" [Feyenoord Squad Numbers] (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 5 July 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  6. "Kermit Erasmus reunites with Gavin Hunt". KickOff. 12 July 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  7. "Kermit Erasmus keert terug naar Supersport United" [Kermit Erasmus returns to Supersport United] (in Dutch). Feyenoord. 10 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  8. "Erasmus scores on debut". KickOff. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  9. Edwards, Piers (12 March 2010). "Drogba a surprise choice". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  10. "Swallows beat SuperSport in MTN8". KickOff. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  11. "SuperSport United 2-0 Mamelodi Sundowns: Matsatsantsa win Nedbank Cup title". Goal. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  12. "Orlando Pirates sign SuperSport striker Kermit Erasmus". Orlando Pirates. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  13. Fakude, Ernst (31 July 2013). "OKermit Erasmus can't play in CAF Champions League". KickOff. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  14. "Erasmus hat-trick helps Pirates advance in Confederation Cup". BBC. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  15. "Pirates win Nedbank Cup". Supersport. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  16. "Erasmus earns place in Africa XI bench". Orlando Pirates. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  17. "Bucs Duo for Top CAF Award". Orlando Pirates. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  18. "Bucs earn draw after amazing comeback". Orlando Pirates. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  19. "Kermit Erasmus: South African striker joins French side Rennes". BBC. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  20. "Former Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus makes Rennes debut". KickOff. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  21. "Erasmus' Rennes Finish Eighth". Soccer Laduma. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  22. "Kermit Erasmus makes substitute appearance as Rennes suffer opening defeat". KickOff. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  23. "Kermit Erasmus loaned from Rennes to Lens". Kick Off. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  24. "Erasmus Says Goodbye To Lens". Soccer Laduma. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  25. Ditlhobolo, Austin (8 February 2018). "French Ligue 1 club Rennes terminate Bafana Bafana striker Kermit Erasmus' contract". Goal. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  26. "Landslagsmeriterad anfallare klar för AFC Eskilstuna" (in Swedish). AFC Eskilstuna. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  27. "Kermit Erasmus lämnar AFC" (in Swedish). AFC Eskilstuna. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  28. https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/kermit-erasmus-why-cape-town-city-was-the-right-move-for-me/kdow1oluexuo1qs49p7h1i9vn
  29. Strydom, Marc (4 June 2012). "It was a mistake to come back home". Sunday World. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  30. Tlou, Clyde (4 September 2010). "South Africa 2-0 Niger: Steven Pienaar inspires Bafana to easy win". Goal. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  31. Cooper, Ryan (7 September 2013). "South Africa Botswana 2014 World Cup qualifier". Kickoff. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  32. "About The Film". Soka Afrika. January 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  33. Kermit Erasmus at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  34. "name=Erasmus, Kermit". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
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