Watch VideoRassie Erasmus wins Coach of the Year, eyes ‘next level’ rivalry against All Blacks in 2026

Springboks mentor Rassie Erasmus won the SA Rugby Coach of the Year award on Thursday at the SA Rugby Awards, but has his eyes fixed on a tough 2026 international rugby season. After a near-flawless 2025 season,Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmuswas honoured asSouth Africa’s Coach of the Year at theSA Rugby Awardson Thursday evening in Cape Town. While the accolade was a welcome recognition for the experienced mentor,Erasmus said the team cannot dwell too long on last year’s achievements, with a demanding 2026 season fast approaching.

The world champions are set to play 13 Tests, starting with a warm-up clash against the Barbarians in a couple of months. Erasmus beat Kevin Foote, Swys de Bruin and Philip Snyman to the award. Meanwhile, hooker Malcolm Marx was crowned Springboks Player of the Year, while Nadine Roos claimed the Springbok Women’s Player of the Year award.

For Erasmus, the recognition is appreciated, but the focus already shifted to what lies ahead in 2026. The Springboks’ first Test will be against England, followed by clashes with Scotland and Wales in the Nations Championship in July. The biggest challenge later in the year will be the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.

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“I don’t think we must live too long in the past and on those achievements. We must come back down to earth,” Erasmus said. “The Tests are starting soon again, that Barbarians match is looming.

It is good to get these awards; however, we know a team like New Zealand will have a good year. They will have some big changes. “It doesn’t matter who they appointed, whether Dave Rennie or Jamie Joseph, or even if Razor (Scott Robertson) stayed on.

They have some good players. This year’s Greatest Rivalry series will be next level. “We had an awesome alignment camp this past week.

Yes, we had some very young players there, but we just wanted to see them face-to-face so that they can experience what we do. So that in the near future should they get a call-up again, it won’t be a first time. It’s a helluva good playing and coaching group. It is now about implementing things going forward.”

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