Rassie Erasmus Issues Stark 2025 Warning as Springboks Eye World Cup Hat-Trick
Rassie Erasmus has acknowledged that 2025 will be a pivotal year for the Springboks, as South Africa looks to balance immediate results with long-term World Cup ambitions. While the focus remains on building a squad capable of defending their title at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Erasmus admits there’s plenty riding on the next 12 months.
Historically, the Springboks have taken a four-year-cycle approach under Erasmus, often placing less emphasis on performances between tournaments. That strategy paid dividends in 2023 when South Africa overcame patchy form to claim their fourth Webb Ellis Cup.
The momentum continued into 2024, with the Boks delivering an exceptional season—winning 11 of 13 Tests and reclaiming the Rugby Championship crown. But 2025 poses a new challenge as Erasmus begins integrating younger talent into the setup without sacrificing the team’s competitive edge.
“We have to find the right balance between developing the squad and continuing to win,” Erasmus told reporters. “With the World Cup draw taking place at the end of the year, staying high in the rankings is crucial. If we lose momentum, it becomes harder to build toward the next Test.”
Although a three-peat remains the long-term goal, Erasmus insists that no Test matches will be taken lightly. Each result matters, not just for the rankings but for maintaining belief within the team.
“Every Test matters,” he added. “Lose that rhythm, and you’re not just taking a step back—you risk losing the confidence you’ve spent months building.”
Looking ahead, South Africa’s July schedule begins with a clash against the Barbarians, followed by back-to-back matches against Italy and then Georgia. Erasmus warned against complacency, particularly when it comes to facing the Azzurri.
“People think Italy will be easy, but they showed real fight early in the Six Nations. They lack depth, but not heart. They’ll be up for the challenge—especially after their warm-up against Namibia,” Erasmus said.
