What does Rassie Erasmus' new Springbok contract mean for Ireland?

Rassie Eramus has been rewarded with a new four-year contract to take him through to the 2031 World Cup in the USA.

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of the Quilter Nations Series match with Wales at Principality Stadium, Cardiff.  

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Rassie Eramus was actually the man who fixed a Springbok team and culture that had long been broken. Now he has been rewarded for it with a new four-year contract to take him through to the 2031 World Cup in the USA.

The announcement was made by SA Rugby on Friday morning, the new deal coming on the back of an all-conquering 2025 which ended with a successful defence of their Rugby Championship title and a Grand Slam northern tour.

And it’s one that may have implications for Ireland.

SA Rugby is also due to announce the outcomes of negotiations with Erasmus’ coaching ticket in due course, among them the former Munster players and coaches Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery who specialise respectively in defence and attack roles.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is currently contracted with the IRFU up to and including the 2027 World Cup in Australia and it remains to be seen what the succession planning involves among the higher-ups on Lansdowne Road.

Or if Farrell goes again.

Flannery and Jones aren’t the only Irish coaches building impressive CVs on foreign shores. Ronan O’Gara has won two Champions Cups at La Rochelle and Noel McNmara is attack coach with currently champions Bordeaux-Begles.

Mark McCall is in to his 14th year in charge of Saracens.

And it will be fascinating to see if current Leinster senior/defence coach Jacques Nienaber returns to South Africa to link up with his old friend Rassie given his deal with the province ends just before the 2027 tournament.

Nienaber took exception to how an interview with South African TV last month was digested by some in Ireland, but he absolutely left the door open on an involvement with the Boks again as they go for a three-in-a-row of Webb Ellis triumphs.

Erasmus, along with Nienaber, returned to South Africa from Munster in 2017 having watched the Boks be destroyed 38-3 by Ireland in Dublin. Disarray on the pitch was matched off it where issues over racial diversity, or the lack of it, were unending.

So, while the capture of the last two World Cups has been the most obvious achievement under Erasmus, it was noticeable how his deeper influence on the team and on the country was so central to the union’s decision to tie him down for longer again.

“This decision reflects not only Rassie’s remarkable track record of success, but also the enduring impact he has made in shaping the identity of our game,” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.

“Under his leadership, the Springboks have achieved historic milestones, consistently setting the standard for performance on the global stage.

“He has refined a style of play that is uniquely suited to our strengths – combining physicality, tactical intelligence, and resilience – and in doing so, has ensured that South African rugby remains both distinctive and formidable.

“Beyond results, his tenure has been defined by vision and consistency. He has instilled a culture of accountability, unity and belief that resonates across our players, management, and supporters.

“His ability to adapt, innovate and inspire has positioned South African Rugby as a benchmark for others, while safeguarding the traditions and values that make our game a source of national pride.”

Erasmus is a former Springbok captain and his role since returning to the biggest of all jobs has changed from that of Director of Rugby to head coach but the impact has remained consistent. For him, there was no hesitation in signing the new offer.

“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.”