Rassie Erasmus is set to enter history as the most decorated head coach of the Springbok team when his team faces Scotland at Loftus Versfeld stadium. Erasmus took over the management of the team in July 2018, and previously served as the Director of Rugby from 2020 to 2023. He will lead the Boks in their 55th championship match.
During the traditional press conference of the Springbok captains on Friday afternoon, Pieter-Steph du Toit was asked who the greatest of all time is—Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Du Toit replied: 'Rassie Erasmus.' This answer, which the French call a bon mot, is a perfectly timed joke. Many South Africans agree with this opinion, given the immense joy Erasmus has brought to his country by organizing two World Cup triumphs in rugby.
On Saturday at Loftus Versfeld against Scotland, Erasmus will complete a record 55th Springbok match. Erasmus, who himself played for the Springboks in the late 1990s, reached this total across two periods (2018-2019 and 2024-2026), surpassing the previous record of 54 matches set by coach Jake White (2004-2007), who won the 2007 World Cup.
Furthermore, Erasmus worked as the Director of Rugby during Jacques Nienaber's 39-match tenure, resulting in the Boks reaching a total of 93 matches under his leadership. Erasmus took on the coaching role at the Springboks in 2018 after a difficult period in the team's history, transforming chaos into a subject of envy in world rugby.
At the press conference, alongside du Toit, was assistant coach Mzwandile Stik, who has worked with Erasmus since early 2018. Stik noted: 'Rassie has always been creative, starting from his early days as a Cheetahs coach when he sent messages to players via disco lights on the Free State stadium roof.' He added that Erasmus has always used his intellect while remaining a humble person who respects and empowers those around him.
Du Toit, who was Erasmus's captain in his first match in 2018, emphasized: 'What stands out about Rassie for me is the excitement. From the first day I met him in 2018, and even today, you don't think his enthusiasm for the game can get any bigger, but it just keeps growing.' He concluded: 'You couldn't wish for a better person than him to achieve what he has done with this team. As players and coaches, we are very proud of what he has achieved. He truly cares about the people of South Africa. It is also nice to see his family nearby. Sometimes it is hard being away from children, but I am happy for him, and I hope we can make this day special for him on Saturday.'
During a press conference in Durban on Friday, current Olympic 10,000m runner champion Joshua Cheptegei compared modern road running to football, stating that the sport has become a team discipline.
Cheptegei noted: 'Running is like football now. It has become a team sport.' He added that if organizers want participants to run the distance under 27 minutes, 'we all have to unite, then something good might happen.'
Despite his career being built on individual excellence, this thought highlights a significant evolution in elite road running in recent years. Although only one athlete will stand on the podium, history is unlikely to be written unless leading contenders agree to share the load in the initial kilometers before battling for victory in the final stages.
This is why organizers believe Sunday's race could become the greatest 10-kilometer race held on African soil. Cheptegei, whose personal best is 26:38, is returning to the city where he set a record in 2018, becoming the first athlete to break the 28-minute barrier on South African territory and winning with a time of 27:16 among all participants.
After eight years, he believes the level of the sport has significantly improved. 'When I ran 27:16 here, it was something special,' he said. 'Now the level has improved so much that times around 26:50 could bring victory in major races. That's incredible.'
Among those hoping to set the pace is Gilbert Kiprotich from Kenya, who stated his ability to run the distance faster than 27 minutes after finishing the Lisbon half marathon with a time of 27:01 this year. Kiprotich explained his decision to come to Durban by wanting to set a personal record and noted: 'Cheptegei is here, and I know we will push each other. When a strong athlete comes to a race, it means we will help each other increase the pace.'
Title defender Kabelo Mulaudzi also aims to compete with the Ugandan runner, hoping that another confrontation with one of the modern greats will help improve his personal best of 27:41, which he set when winning last year.
For Cheptegei, Durban represents more than just another stop on the international calendar. Returning for the first time since his record triumph eight years ago, he described the race as having a 'very special place' in his heart after it helped restore his confidence following a period marred by injuries early in his career. He added: 'We come here to compete with incredible athletes, but also to enjoy the moment.'
If the top athletes accept Cheptegei's call and compete as a team before becoming rivals, Sunday's showdown could provide exactly the moment that African road running has been waiting for.
