Rassie Erasmus (L) and Riche McCaw Photo: photosport
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has been handed a four-year contract extension through to 2031, giving him two more Rugby World Cups to aim for, SA Rugby has announced.
Erasmus has won the last two World Cups with the Springboks, as coach in 2019 in Japan and as Director of Rugby in France in 2023 but still de facto in charge.
He now has another six years at the helm of the team, who finished the year in devastating form and are early favourites for a hat-trick of titles at the next World Cup in Australia in 2027.
He will now also be in charge for the 2031 finals in the US.
The 53-year-old, who captained the Boks in one test and won 36 caps between 1997 and 2001, has thrilled his compatriots with his innovative approach to the game but picked up many detractors elsewhere as a perceived purveyor of rugby's dark arts, pushing against the boundaries of the game.
"This decision reflects not only Rassie's remarkable track record of success, but also the enduring impact he has made in shaping the identity of our game," said SA Rugby President Mark Alexander in a statement.
"Under his leadership, the Springboks have achieved historic milestones, consistently setting the standard for performance on the global stage.
"He has refined a style of play that is uniquely suited to our strengths - combining physicality, tactical intelligence, and resilience - and in doing so, has ensured that South African rugby remains both distinctive and formidable.
"His ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire has positioned South African Rugby as a benchmark for others, while safeguarding the traditions and values that make our game a source of national pride."
Erasmus was first appointed in 2018 and by the end of his contract will have had 13 years in charge of the Springboks.
"This was a quick and easy conversation to reach agreement. 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," Erasmus added in the same statement.
The Springboks face a busy 2026 with a four-test tour from arch-rivals New Zealand, plus the new Nations Championship competition, where they start with a home test against England in July.
World Cup showdown
Meanwhile, Erasmus said he was uncertain about what to make of potentially facing the All Blacks in the quarter-finals of the next World Cup after the top two ranked teams were drawn in the same pathway for the 2027 tournament in Australia.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The top-seeded Springboks were drawn in Pool B, while three-times champions New Zealand are in Pool A, and if, as expected, they top those groups and beat third-placed teams from other pools in the round of 16, the Southern Hemisphere giants will clash for a spot in the semi-finals in a rematch of the 2023 final.
"I don't know if it's a benefit or a bad thing," Erasmus told a virtual press conference.
"I can't say that I'm disappointed or that I'm glad about that. We'll see how things develop. It could have been France, and they are tough. If it wasn't them, then it could have been Ireland. Ireland is just as tough.
"I'm more worried about the travelling time, and where you are based, and all of those things that haven't been cleared up."
South Africa start in a pool with Georgia, Italy, and Romania, and there was a suggestion this might not be tough enough preparation for the likely quarter-final clash with the All Blacks.
But Erasmus said he had no fears about his team peaking at the right time in the tournament.
"Georgia are going to physically give it to you, Romania is going to physically give it to us, and I really think Italy is a top team.
"Anyway, we can always intensify the training sessions because we've got 33 players that all can start for us, so you can really rev that up during the tournament."
Plus, he pointed out, South Africa will play a lot of internationals before the World Cup kicks off on 1 October, 2027, with four tests against the All Blacks next year, plus the new Nations Championship and then more matches in 2027.
"We will almost be a little bit punch drunk when we go into the tournament," he quipped.
- Reuters