A Christmas present arrived early for all Springbok fans on Friday when it was confirmed that the contract of double Rugby World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus had been extended for a further four years.
Erasmus has been involved in 89 Tests with the Springboks as director of rugby and head coach since taking charge in 2018 – winning 64 of them (72%).
A key factor in the negotiations for an extension was always reported to revolve around the fact that Erasmus would also want to ensure he can retain the services of his trusted coaching staff.
That was never expected to be a sticking point, and SA Rugby also confirmed on Friday that an “announcement on the contract negotiations with other members of the Springbok coaching team will be made in due course”.
Rassie and his support staff have masterminded a period of unprecedented Springbok success
The current management team headed by Erasmus includes six assistant coaches in Tony Brown, Deon Davids, Jerry Flannery, Daan Human, Felix Jones, Mzwandile Stick. Duane Vermeulen also serves in a similar capacity as a mobi-unit coach.
It now remains to be seen whether all of them will be retained through to 2031, but there is no doubt that Erasmus would want to keep working with the core of this group.
Erasmus said: “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.
“I’d like to thank SA Rugby and the franchises for the support and backing they have given me and the Springboks over the past few years. It hasn’t always been easy but we’re improving. Although this a long-term agreement we’re not looking beyond a really tough 2026 schedule right now.”
Full support of SA Rugby
Erasmus was first appointed as Director of Rugby in 2018 and under his guidance, South Africa won successive Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
In 2024, his title changed to Springbok head coach, and he has not only overseen South Africa winning the Rugby Championship in the last two years, but they also finished the last three seasons as the top-ranked team in the world.
“Together, we look forward to building on this foundation of success, confident that under his guidance, South African rugby will continue to thrive, lead and unite our nation through the power of the game,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander commented.
Current 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
