Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will make history on Saturday when he takes charge of South Africa for the 55th time, becoming the most-capped head coach in the team’s history. The milestone sees Erasmus surpass 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White, who previously held the record with 54 Tests.
Erasmus reached the landmark across two spells in charge, having first coached the Springboks in 2018 and 2019 before returning as head coach in 2024. During that period, he has guided South Africa to an impressive 75.93% win rate, winning 41 of his 54 Tests, while overseeing 94 Springbok matches overall, including his time as director of rugby alongside former head coach Jacques Nienaber.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander praised Erasmus for transforming not only the Springboks but also the country’s relationship with rugby, saying the coach had united South Africans through the sport and built a team that reflects the nation’s diversity.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer described Erasmus as the greatest coach to lead the Springboks, highlighting how he inherited a side ranked sixth in the world before steering them to two Rugby World Cup titles and restoring South Africa to the top of international rugby.
Despite the historic achievement, Erasmus insisted his focus remains solely on Saturday’s Test against Scotland, saying personal milestones take a back seat to ensuring the Springboks deliver another strong performance against a dangerous opponent.