Rassie Erasmus is set to rewrite the history books today by becoming the most-capped Springbok head coach of all time when his side faces Scotland at Loftus Versfeld. After taking charge of the team in July 2018, Erasmus, who also served as director of rugby between 2020 and 2023, will be at the helm of the Boks in his 55th Test.
At the traditional Springbok captain’s eve-of-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Pieter-Steph du Toit was asked who is the greatest of all time, Lionel Messi or Ronaldo? He answered, “Rassie Erasmus”.
Du Toit is a reserved man of few words, but that answer is what the French call a bon mot (a perfectly timed quip). And few South Africans would disagree given the unbridled joy Erasmus has given his country after masterminding two Rugby World Cup triumphs.
On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld against Scotland, Erasmus will oversee a record 55th Springbok Test.
Erasmus, a Springbok loose forward in the late 1990s, has reached the total in two spells (2018-2019 and 2024-2026), surpassing the previous record of 54 Tests held by 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White (2004-2007).
