Head coach of South Africa's national rugby team, leading the Springboks through the 2026 Nations Championship and 'Greatest Rivalry' series against New Zealand.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Rassie Erasmus
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The Namibian
Rassie Erasmus said his Springboks team will need to be mentally and physically ready despite being favourites
“Despite being favourites, Erasmus is taking nothing for granted. "There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we'll need to be up mentally and physically for every match," he said in comments echoed by New Zealand captain Scott Barrett.”
Countdown begins to biggest-ever Rugby World CupThe Namibian
Rassie Erasmus made eight changes to the starting line-up
“Lonergan's accurate penalty stretched the Wallabies' lead to 27-17, leading to South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus making eight changes to his starting line-up.”
Inspired Wallabies notch statement Test win over SpringboksThe Namibian
Rassie Erasmus named two changes for series decider
“Damian Willemse will replace the injured Cheslin Kolbe at full-back in two changes named by South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday for this weekend's series decider against New Zealand in Baltimore.”
Willemse replaces Kolbe for Springboks’ All Blacks series deciderThe Namibian
Head coach Rassie Erasmus said the Springboks won 29-24 in a fierce battle
“"It was a fierce battle in all departments. I think the scoreboard shows how close the game was. We are just happy we won," Erasmus told reporters.”
Kolbe breaks jaw and shoulder injury sidelines SaveaThe Namibian
Rassie Erasmus responded that New Zealand's first six scrums all collapsed
“Rival head coach Rassie Erasmus responded: "The first six scrums New Zealand had — every one collapsed.”
Springboks and All Blacks seek series lead after war of wordsThe Namibian
Rassie Erasmus called Rennie's barbs over Springbok scrumming 'nonsense'
“Erasmus calls Rennie barbs over Springbok scrumming 'nonsense'”
Erasmus calls Rennie barbs over Springbok scrumming ‘nonsense’The Namibian
Rassie Erasmus said his decision to move original front row to the bench was based on weather
“Erasmus said his late decision to move the original front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw to the bench was based on the weather.”
Erasmus calls Rennie barbs over Springbok scrumming ‘nonsense’The Namibian
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus sprang a late surprise when he switched starting and replacement front rows
“Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus sprang a late surprise when he switched the starting and replacement front rows, with Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche moving to the bench.”
South Africa survive onslaught to beat New Zealand and level seriesThe Namibian
Head coach Rassie Erasmus said Handre has delivered under extreme pressure
“"Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that is what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game," said head coach Rassie Erasmus.”
Springboks change half backs for second All Blacks TestThe Namibian
Rassie Erasmus delayed naming matchday 23 squad until Thursday
“But Erasmus said that this week he will delay naming his team until Thursday, the same day New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie is set to announce his starting XV.”
Kolisi and Nche may miss South Africa Test against New ZealandThe 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off October 1 in Australia with a record 24 teams playing over six weeks across seven cities, and more than 750,000 pre-sale tickets have already been sold from 135 countries.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off October 1 in Australia with a record 24 teams playing over six weeks across seven cities, and more than 750,000 pre-sale tickets have already been sold from 135 countries.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Australia defeated South Africa 42-38 in a one-off Test match in Perth, with Len Ikitau scoring twice as the Wallabies claimed their biggest win under new coach Les Kiss. South Africa, who fielded a new-look lineup with 13 changes, scored three late tries but could not overturn the deficit despite the Wallabies finishing with 11 players.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa defeated New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore to claim a 3-1 series victory in the four-Test 'Greatest Rivalry' showdown. Former Springboks captains Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield, and Schalk Burger praised the team's ability to recover from losing the first Test to win three consecutive matches.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa defeated New Zealand 43-28 in the fourth and final Test match in Baltimore on Saturday to complete a 3-1 series victory. The Springboks dominated the second half with six tries to secure the win in front of a 71,000 crowd.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus named Damian Willemse at full-back to replace injured Cheslin Kolbe for this weekend's series decider against New Zealand in Baltimore, with Morne van den Berg also coming in at scrum-half for Cobus Reinach.
7 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 in the third Test in Johannesburg, taking a 2-1 series lead. Star players Cheslin Kolbe (jaw) and Ardie Savea (shoulder) were injured and ruled out of the series finale in Baltimore.
5 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and New Zealand meet in Johannesburg on Saturday for a 2-1 series lead, following days of verbal sparring over scrumming tactics between the two head coaches and support staff.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus rejected All Blacks coach Dave Rennie's criticism of the Springboks' scrumming techniques following South Africa's 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town. Erasmus said Rennie's comments about the Springboks "walking around" in scrums were "nonsense," pointing instead to New Zealand's collapsing scrums.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa defeated New Zealand 33-26 in the second of four Tests at Cape Town Stadium, levelling their series after losing the first Test. The Springboks dominated much of the match but had to withstand a fierce All Blacks comeback in the final 14 minutes.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa have changed their half-backs for the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Cape Town, promoting Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach to replace Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Grant Williams. The Springboks also made changes to their backline, with Ethan Hooker replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse on the left wing.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Johannesburg, head coach Rassie Erasmus said Monday. Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in Argentina this month, while Nche has not played since a knee injury in July.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and New Zealand are undertaking an extended rugby tour that begins in Cape Town on Friday and concludes in the United States 12,700 kilometres away. From August 29 to September 12, the two world-ranked teams will play exclusive Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Baltimore, with the tour branded the 'Greatest Rivalry' and scheduled to occur every four years.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa and France top their respective tables after the southern hemisphere Tests in the inaugural Nations Championship. The Springboks, New Zealand and other southern hemisphere nations will visit the northern hemisphere in November to play three Tests apiece before a grand final at Twickenham on November 27-29.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Debutant wing Jaco Williams scored a try and created another as South Africa beat Wales 43-0 in Durban to reclaim first place in the Nations Championship southern hemisphere standings on points difference, ahead of New Zealand.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he would seek more consistency in selection during a challenging 2026 fixture list featuring the Nations Championship, a four-Test series against New Zealand, and an end-of-year tour, with less experimentation than the nine changes per game average in 2025.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →