Rassie Erasmus has been in charge of 46 Tests as the Springboks’ ‘head coach’, and his 71.7% success rate is now the second-best success rate of any Bok coach since readmission.
Erasmus was also very much at the helm during the successful period between 2020 and 2023 when he served as director of rugby, and after Jacques Nienaber left to join Leinster, it was an obvious decision for Rassie to return to the role as head coach.
Although Erasmus remains under contract until at least the 2027 World Cup, there is understandable interest from other suitors to try and tempt him away from the Springboks after the next global showpiece.
Rassie Erasmus in high demand
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, there are at least two other offers on the table, and SA Rugby view it as an urgent priority to successfully negotiate a contract extension with Erasmus as soon as the Rugby Championship concludes and attention can turn to this sort of paper work.
A key factor in the negotiations is reportedly set to revolve around the fact that Erasmus doesn’t just want his own contract extended, but also those of his trusted coaching staff.
Yet, there is quiet confidence that Erasmus will be happy to continue with the Springboks, and a contract extension could mean he remains with the national side until after the 2031 World Cup in the USA, which would complete an unprecedented period of coaching continuity.
Current Springbok management team:
Head Coach: Rassie Erasmus
General Manager: Charles Wessels
Assistant Coaches: Tony Brown, Deon Davids, Jerry Flannery, Daan Human, Felix Jones, Mzwandile Stick
Mobi-Unit Coach: Duane Vermeulen
Head of Athletic Performance: Andy Edwards
Laws and Discipline Advisor: Jaco Peyper
Performance Analyst: Paddy Sullivan
Technical Analyst: Lindsay Weyer
Sport Scientist: Sebastian Prim
Team Doctor: Dr Jerome Lehlogonolo Mampane
Physiotherapists: Dr Anuerin Robyn, Lance Lemmetjies
Logistics Manager: JJ Fredericks
Operations Manager: Zintsika Tashe
Media Manager: Zeena Isaacs van Tonder
Dietician: Robyn Moore
