Rugby Union Dec 07, 2025

Rassie Erasmus: South Africa head coach signs four-year contract extension

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Rassie Erasmus: South Africa head coach signs four-year contract extension

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has extended his contract for a further four years.

As director of rugby, Erasmus guided the Springboks to World Cup success in both 2019 and 2023, before his title changed to head coach last year.

"This was a quick and easy conversation to reach agreement," Erasmus said.

"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' contract will now run until after the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States.

"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," SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said.

The news comes days after back-to-back defending champions South Africa were drawn in Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been banned for 12 weeks for gouging the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann.

The 34-year-old Sharks player was sent off in the closing stages of the Springboks' 73-0 win in Cardiff on Saturday after match officials reviewed footage of the incident.

An independent disciplinary panel deemed the act to be "intentional" but reduced the suspension from 18 weeks to 12 due to mitigating factors, including Etzebeth's previous record.

Two-time World Cup winner Etzebeth - the most-capped Springboks player in history, with 141 appearances - will complete his ban on March 27, 2026.

South Africa's next fixture is set to be against England in Johannesburg in July on the first weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship.

Tags:

rugby-union news id:13479626

Share this article

Related Posts

Champions Cup: The greatest finals in the history of Europe's highest level ahead of Leinster vs Bordeaux-Begles meeting

Champions Cup: The greatest finals in the history of Europe's highest level ahead of Leinster vs Bordeaux-Begles meeting

Ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup final between Leinster and Bordeaux-Begles in Bilbao, we look back at the greatest European Cup finals in history......

Women's Six Nations: How England's Red Roses defied the odds to create more history with Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux

Women's Six Nations: How England's Red Roses defied the odds to create more history with Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux

Pregnancies, injuries, scepticism and the small matter of a Grand Slam decider on foreign soil.The Red Roses had to navigate it all during the 2026 Si...

Maro Itoje: England head coach Steve Borthwick says captain may need to miss inaugural Nations Championship and clash vs Springboks to rest

Maro Itoje: England head coach Steve Borthwick says captain may need to miss inaugural Nations Championship and clash vs Springboks to rest

England captain Maro Itoje may need to miss the summer's inaugural Nations Championship Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, head coach Ste...

England Rugby: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken, Archie McParland called up as George Martin returns in Nations Championship training squad

England Rugby: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken, Archie McParland called up as George Martin returns in Nations Championship training squad

Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken and Archie McParland have all been named in England's training camp ahead of the inaugural Nations Champio...

Henry Pollock has 'unfinished business' with British and Irish Lions after Test snub in Australia

Henry Pollock has 'unfinished business' with British and Irish Lions after Test snub in Australia

Henry Pollock says he has unfinished British and Irish Lions business and is using the 'hurt' of not featuring in a Test match in Australia as motivat...

Exeter end Leicester's unbeaten home run to set up thrilling final day of Prem regular season before play-offs

Exeter end Leicester's unbeaten home run to set up thrilling final day of Prem regular season before play-offs

Olly Woodburn scored two tries as Exeter pulled off a stunning 35-26 victory in a pulsating contest as Leicester missed the chance to climb to second...