Rassie Erasmus during a Springbok training session. Photo by AFP
Three major Springbok announcements to expect in 2024
The world champion Springbok side may only be back in action later this year, but there will be a few major announcements in the near future.
Rassie Erasmus during a Springbok training session. Photo by AFP
After winning the World Cup in stunning fashion last year, there will be great anticipation when the Springbok side returns to action in July, with two matches against Ireland and one against Portugal on the calendar.
Before then, though, here are three major Springbok announcements to expect.
Rassie to be formally named as the new head coach … again
SA Rugby are understood to be comfortable for Rassie Erasmus to come back into a frontline role as Springboks coach while they assess the next best steps.
It’s not yet really clear if this will be an interim appointment, or potentially long-term, but Erasmus is set to absorb the responsibilities as head coach for the foreseeable future – as he did when he returned to South Africa in 2018, coaching the Boks to their 2019 World Cup triumph.
Erasmus is contracted to 2025, but there is even a chance that SA Rugby could look to extend his services for the next four-year cycle.
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Duane Vermeulen to join Bok coaching team
It’s been suggested that the Springboks are keen to also soon introduce Vermeulen into their coaching ranks, possibly as a defence specialist to take over from departed Jacques Nienaber, who previously covered this department.
Vermeulen was seen alongside the likes of Rassie Erasmus and Nienaber during the Springboks’ World Cup pool game against Ireland, and even then he hinted at considering a move into coaching.
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New leadership responsibilities
It’s likely that Siya Kolisi – who is now 32 years old – will look to have his game-time very carefully managed over the next four year cycle if he hopes to be able to make it to the next World Cup.
With this in mind, it will be interesting to see who the back up captaincy responsibilities will fall to, with Bongi Mbonambi recovering from a serious injury that could place him in doubt for the July Tests, while Duane Vermeulen has retired.
Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard and even someone like Deon Fourie have captained the Springboks, but there could be others introduced to a leadership role as the coaches look to the future.
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THE SPRINGBOK TEAM’S HOME TEST SCHEDULE FOR 2024 IS:
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs. Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs. Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs. Portugal (venue TBC)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs. New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA vs. New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 28 September: SA vs. Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Meanwhile, the Springboks’ away Test schedule includes two matches against the Wallabies in Australia in August, and an away match against Argentina in the Rugby Championship in September, as well as engagements in Europe in November 2024.
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