Springboks: Erasmus Prioritises Depth for 2027 World Cup & 2026 Schedule
GQEBERHA, South Africa – The Springboks are firmly focused on building depth and preparing for the Rugby World Cup, according to head coach Rassie Erasmus. Despite a busy schedule that includes the inaugural Nations Championship and a unique series against New Zealand, the global tournament remains the ultimate priority.
The Springboks begin their with a non-cap match against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, followed by their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on . Erasmus emphasized the importance of both fixtures as crucial stepping stones in their long-term planning.
“The focus is very much on that Barbarians match and building into the England Test at Ellis Park,” Erasmus said on Monday. “We averaged nine changes per game last year, so we’re not under pressure to suddenly experiment. But depth is crucial. You might lose four or five players in one position. Succession planning is key.”
The back-to-back World Cup champions are acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead, particularly the potential for injuries to key players. Erasmus’s strategy revolves around cultivating a squad capable of weathering such setbacks without compromising performance. “If we keep winning, continuity helps. But we’ll always try to build five or six deep in every position. That’s what gives you a chance at a World Cup.”
The introduction of the Nations Championship is being viewed as a valuable opportunity to test and refine the squad’s capabilities. SA Rugby CEO Riaan Oberholzer described as “one of the bigger years we will have outside of a World Cup year,” highlighting the significance of the new tournament.
“We start with the Nations Championship, which we’ve been looking forward to,” Oberholzer said. “In the past we had friendlies and incoming tours. Now we’re playing for points. It builds to a finals weekend in London and gives real meaning to the international season.”
Beyond the Nations Championship, the Springboks are also looking forward to the “Greatest Rivalry” series against New Zealand, a newly established competition designed to revitalize the historic contest between the two rugby powerhouses. The series, which will occur every four years, mirroring the British & Irish Lions cycle, promises to be a significant addition to the international calendar.
“We’ve been working for a while to regulate contact between South Africa and New Zealand and bring proper tours back. It will happen every four years, similar to the Lions cycle. It’s new and exciting for our players and our fans,” Oberholzer explained.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the New Zealand series is the decision to host the fourth Test in the United States. This move, driven by both commercial and strategic considerations, reflects SA Rugby’s ambition to expand its global footprint and tap into new markets. Oberholzer emphasized the importance of the American market, particularly with the World Cup scheduled to be held in the USA.
“To create financial stability we must take our brand wider than South Africa. America is a very essential market leading up to , when the World Cup will be staged there. World Rugby encouraged us to support its vision, and our sponsors see value in it too.” He also confirmed that tickets for the Baltimore Test are nearly sold out, demonstrating the growing appetite for rugby in the American market.
The Springboks face a demanding schedule in , with team manager Charles Wessels outlining a rigorous program that will see the squad together for 135 days. “The Springboks will be together for 135 days this year,” Wessels stated. “We are playing 13 Tests and 14 matches in total. We are 581 days away from kicking off our World Cup campaign against Italy.” Wessels further confirmed that the Boks will play a total of 20 Tests before the World Cup, providing ample opportunity to assess and refine the squad’s composition and strategies.
The emphasis on depth and long-term planning underscores the Springboks’ determination to maintain their position as a dominant force in international rugby. While immediate success in the Nations Championship is undoubtedly a goal, the ultimate focus remains firmly fixed on defending their World Cup title in .