Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus makes history today as he takes charge of South Africa for a record-breaking 55th Test when the world champions face Scotland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
According to the South African Rugby Union (SARU), Erasmus now holds the record for the most Tests coached by any Springbok mentor since South Africa played its first Test match in 1891.
The milestone comes across two spells in charge – from 2018 to 2019 and from 2024 to the present – eclipsing the previous record of 54 Tests set by 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White between 2004 and 2007.
SARU President Mark Alexander hailed Erasmus’ remarkable contribution to South African rugby, describing his impact as transformative both on and off the field.
“Rassie understood his mandate from day one and implemented a strategy that truly transformed the way we play, the way we use our diversity as our strength and the way we drive social cohesion by using rugby as a vehicle. He galvanised all South Africans behind our team,” said Alexander.
Today’s encounter also marks the 94th Springbok match played under Erasmus’ leadership since he returned to SARU in 2018.
“There aren’t any superlatives left to describe the impact Rassie has had not only on Springbok rugby but on the sport and the country over the past eight years. He has not only transformed the team’s results, but he has also transformed the country’s attitude to rugby.
“He has turned Springbok matches into an environment where South Africans from every demographic, whether it be sex, age, race or language, can come together to celebrate their South African-ness,” Alexander added.
Erasmus’ contribution has also been recognised at the highest level through the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold, one of South Africa’s highest civilian honours, awarded for exceptional achievement in sport.
“Rassie Erasmus’ legacy is measured not only in victories but in the unity, hope and pride he has instilled in South Africans,” Alexander said. “His work stands as a testament to the power of rugby to transcend boundaries and bring our nation together.”
Heading into his record-breaking 55th Test, Erasmus boasts a 75.93% winning record from his first 54 matches in charge – significantly higher than the Springboks’ historical win rate of 62.5% when he first assumed the role.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer believes Erasmus has cemented his place among the greatest coaches the game has ever seen.
“There is no doubt that Rassie is the greatest coach to ever lead the Springboks and he will rank highly in conversations about the greatest coach to ever take charge of a national team from any country.
“His clarity of vision, his attention to detail and his ability to bring disparate people and systems into alignment is extraordinary. The Springboks were ranked sixth in the world and had suffered a series of record defeats when he took on the job of head coach.
“With largely the same playing personnel, he has masterminded the winning of two Rugby World Cups and established the team at the very pinnacle of the sport,” Oberholzer said.
