Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has extended his contract until 2031, securing his leadership through the next Rugby World Cup in the United States. The 53-year-old, who guided South Africa to back-to-back world titles, will focus solely on the national team after stepping away from his director of rugby role.
Rassie Erasmus, the architect of South Africa's recent rugby dominance, has committed to the Springboks for another six years. The extension, announced on December 5, 2025, takes him through to the 2031 Rugby World Cup hosted in the US. Erasmus, aged 53, served as de facto head coach during the 2019 World Cup victory and as director of rugby in 2023, when Jacques Nienaber held the head coaching title. Their partnership, dubbed 'Rasnaber,' delivered the 12-11 final win over New Zealand in Paris.
Following Nienaber's departure to Leinster, Erasmus assumed the formal head coach position in 2024, relinquishing his director of rugby duties to Dave Wessels. Under his guidance, the Springboks have remained unbeaten in eight northern hemisphere tour matches and topped the world rankings for three consecutive seasons. In 2024, Erasmus utilized 50 players across 13 Tests, winning the Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup, and Mandela Plate. The 2025 season saw 49 players in 14 Tests (50 including a Barbarians match), with a record 81 tries scored, reflecting an evolving attacking style influenced by assistant Tony Brown.
"This was a quick and easy conversation to reach agreement," Erasmus stated. "I have always said that I would find it hard to coach any other international team, and I’m very happy to continue as long as the South African public wants me." SA Rugby president Mark Alexander praised the decision: "Under his leadership, the Springboks have achieved historic milestones... positioning South African Rugby as a benchmark for others."
Looking ahead, 2026 brings challenges including four Tests against the All Blacks and the Nations Championship, with the 2027 World Cup in Australia looming. Erasmus emphasized preparation: "The World Cup is only 18 months out – we have to start focusing on it now." His stability contrasts with departures like Nienaber, Matt Proudfoot, and Aled Walters since 2018, as he anchors the coaching setup amid ongoing contract talks for assistants.