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

Scotland Six Nations squad: Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry among Gregor Townsend's 40 selections

Scotland Six Nations squad: Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry among Gregor Townsend's 40 selections

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has recalled second row Jonny Gray and hooker Dave Cherry into his 40-man squad for the 2026 Six Nations.The squad...

Champions Cup: Bath rout Edinburgh 63-10 to seal top spot in Pool 2 as Dragons beat Newcastle to advance in Challenge Cup

Champions Cup: Bath rout Edinburgh 63-10 to seal top spot in Pool 2 as Dragons beat Newcastle to advance in Challenge Cup

Bath finished top of Pool 2 in the Champions Cup with a ruthless 63-10 victory over Edinburgh.Edinburgh went in front with an early penalty from Ross...

Champions Cup: Edinburgh deny Gloucester in comeback victory as Bath beat Castres to close on winning Pool Two

Champions Cup: Edinburgh deny Gloucester in comeback victory as Bath beat Castres to close on winning Pool Two

Edinburgh staged a second-half comeback to pick up a hard-fought 26-24 win over Gloucester in the Champions Cup and consigned the visitors to a fifth...

Women’s British and Irish Lions Tour 2027: Fixtures, schedule, venues for historic tour of New Zealand

Women’s British and Irish Lions Tour 2027: Fixtures, schedule, venues for historic tour of New Zealand

The dates, fixtures and host cities have been revealed for Howden British & Irish Lions’ historic Women’s Series in New Zealand in 2027. and will...

Jamie George: Former England captain to retire from rugby in 2027 after a final season with Saracens

Jamie George: Former England captain to retire from rugby in 2027 after a final season with Saracens

Former England captain Jamie George will retire from rugby in 2027 after signing a new one-year contract at Saracens.The 35-year-old, who has played o...

Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales international commits to Bristol Bears by signing long-term deal

Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales international commits to Bristol Bears by signing long-term deal

Wales back Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a long-term deal with Bristol, having joined the Bears for the 2025-26 season after ending his 18-month spell...