Rassie Erasmus coaches 55th Test, breaking Springbok record

South Africa's director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, will set a new record for the most Tests coached by a Springbok head coach when his team faces Scotland in the Nations Championship on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Pretoria. The match at Loftus Versfeld will be his 55th in charge, surpassing the previous record of 54 held by 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White.

Erasmus will achieve the milestone across two spells as head coach, from 2018 to 2019 and again from 2024 to the present. He also served as director of rugby between those periods, remaining a central figure in the national setup. Since his return to South African Rugby in 2018, the Springboks have played 94 matches under his guidance. South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander praised Erasmus for transforming not only the team's results but also the nation's relationship with the sport, stating he has galvanized all South Africans behind the team and used rugby as a vehicle for social cohesion.

Under Erasmus's leadership, the Springboks have enjoyed one of the most successful eras in their history. He took over a team ranked sixth in the world following a period of disappointing results, including a record 57-0...