The Springboks currently enjoy a healthy world rankings lead of 2.42 points ahead of second-placed New Zealand, but there is a very clear vision from Rassie Erasmus that the world champions can get even better.

With new coaches coming in and a decisive move towards expanding the team’s attacking play, Erasmus has again made it clear that there is more evolution necessary.

“The coaches have been working tirelessly to improve our structures to ensure that we can improve on our performances last season, and it was great to see how the players responded to the adaptations and changes we have made to our structures,” Erasmus commented after the latest team camp.

“We have said time and time again that we have to continue to evolve to remain a force at the top level of the game, and although we are under no illusions about the challenging season ahead, we are pleased with the progress we have been making off the field, and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.”

Maintaining a position of strength will be more important than ever by the time this season comes to an end, with the draw for the expanded 24-team 2027 World Cup set to take place in December.

SPRINGBOKS’ 2025 TEST SCHEDULE AS THEY HEAD TOWARDS THEIR WORLD CUP DEFENCE:

28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05.
5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10.
12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10.
19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10.
16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10.
23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10.
6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05.
13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05.
27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10.
4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00.
8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD.
15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD.
22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40.
29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10.

*SA Rugby are working on adding two more Tests for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan and Portug

WHICH SA FIXTURES ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men’s game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October.

Ticket sales

Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s.

(*booking fees apply)

Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/rassie-erasmus-what-springboks-have-to-do/