{
  "id": 6726589,
  "title": "Series win against All Blacks would be cherry on the cake for Rassie’s 100th",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/series-win-against-all-blacks-would-be-cherry-on-the-cake-for-rassies",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T07:55:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/rassie-erasmus-marks-100th-test-springboks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rassie Erasmus prepares to achieve his 100th Test as Springboks coach when South Africa face New Zealand in the fourth and final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry match in Baltimore on Saturday. He previously served as director of rugby under Jacques Nienaber for 39 Tests from 2020 to 2023, and then as head coach for 60 Tests from 2018-19 and again from 2024. The Springboks have won 73.7% of their matches under Erasmus since he assumed the role in 2018, with 73 victories, one draw, and 25 defeats. Earlier this season, Erasmus broke the record for the most Tests as Springbok head coach, surpassing Jake White's previous record of 54. In May, he was honored with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Gold by the Presidency for his contributions to arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport. Under Erasmus, the Springboks have triumphed in the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, the 2021 British & Irish Lions series, as well as the 2019, 2024, and 2025 Rugby Championships, marking their first consecutive Rugby Championship titles. The 2024 and 2025 victories represent the first time South Africa has secured back-to-back Rugby Championship crowns. In those 99 Tests since 2018, the Springboks have secured 73 wins, one draw, and 25 losses, resulting in a 73.7% win rate. Erasmus aims to secure his milestone with a victory against the All Blacks, who last won a series on South African soil in 1996, with a 2-1 triumph. The Springboks now lead the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series 2-1 following recent victories in Cape Town and Soweto, with an unassailable lead. Erasmus made minor changes to the starting lineup, replacing Cheslin Kolbe with Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach with Morné van den Berg. Despite expecting a smaller crowd of South African fans, Erasmus highlighted the team's positive response after their recent loss, emphasizing their commitment to playing for their supporters.",
  "summary": "The Springbok boss has overseen 39 Tests as director of rugby and 60 as head coach.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}