Rassie Erasmus is making Springboks history yet again this weekend

This moves Erasmus clear of 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White as the most-capped head coach in the nation's history.

The milestone comes as the world champions prepare to face Scotland in Pretoria in the second round of the Nations Championship, with Erasmus reaching the landmark across two spells in charge – first between 2018 and 2019, before returning to the role in 2024.

His achievement eclipses White's previous record of 54 Tests and further cements a coaching legacy that has transformed South African rugby over the past eight years.

Since taking over the Springboks in 2018, Erasmus has overseen one of the most successful periods in the team's history, guiding South Africa to two Rugby World Cup titles while helping establish them once again as the world's top-ranked side.

Despite the occasion, Erasmus insisted his personal milestone has not been discussed within the squad this week.

"When players reach milestones we don’t talk about it in the build-up to matches and the same applies this week. It’s a nice thing to know but the most important and only thing this week is performing against a very dangerous Scotland team."

His numbers speak for themselves. Across his 54 Tests as head coach, Erasmus has won 41 matches, drawn one and lost 12, giving him a remarkable 75.93% win rate—more than 13% higher than South Africa's historical winning percentage when he first took charge.

Since returning as head coach in 2024, that figure has climbed even higher. Including this weekend's clash with Scotland, the Springboks have won 24 of their last 28 Tests under Erasmus, an outstanding success rate of 85.7%.

Springbok President Mark Alexander paid tribute to Erasmus' influence on and off the field. "Rassie understood his mandate from day one and implemented a strategy that truly transformed the way we play, the way we use our diversity as our strength and the way we drive social cohesion by using rugby as a vehicle. He galvanised all South Africans behind our team."

Alexander believes Erasmus' impact stretches far beyond results. "There aren’t any superlatives left to describe the impact Rassie has had not only on Springbok rugby but on the sport and the country over the past eight years.

"He has not only transformed the team’s results, he has transformed the country’s attitude to rugby. He has turned Springbok matches into an environment where South Africans from every demographic, whether it be sex, age, race, or language can come together to celebrate their South African-ness together."

Although Saturday marks his 55th match as head coach, it will actually be the 94th Springbok Test played under Erasmus' guidance, having also served as South Africa's director of rugby during Jacques Nienaber's tenure.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer believes no Springbok coach has achieved more.

"His clarity of vision, his attention to detail, and the ability to bring disparate people and systems into alignment is extraordinary. The Springboks were ranked sixth in the world and had suffered a series of record defeats when he took on job of head coach.

"With largely the same playing personnel he has masterminded the winning of two Rugby World Cups and established the team at the very pinnacle of the sport."

While another piece of history awaits Erasmus, his focus remains firmly fixed on ensuring the Springboks continue their unbeaten start to the Nations Championship against an in-form Scottish side in Pretoria.