When it’s all said and done, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will be forever etched into South African folklore.

He’s already a legend of the game, winning successive World Cups—the only other team to achieve such a feat? The All Blacks in 2011 and 2015. The Springboks now have their eyes on the illusive three-peat, a milestone never achieved in international rugby.

The 2027 World Cup will be Erasmus’s hardest challenge as several of his most called-upon disciples, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, and Pieter Steph Du-Toit, enter the twilight years of their careers. Some might not even make it to Australia, meaning he now has the task of preparing inexperienced talent for the game’s greatest stage.

Maintaining a balance of old and new has never been more prevalent for Erasmus.

While nothing is confirmed, this could be his last dance with the Springboks; so, who dares take the mantle following the nation’s most prolific coach?

Incoming van Graan?

South African rugby is renowned for appointing local coaches, and few are performing better than Johan van Graan, who has Bath sitting top of the Premiership Rugby table. There’s also former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber to consider.

“I would be surprised if they go outside of South Africa for a head coach,” said former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan.

“I think they brought some external coaches in, which is not that normal under Rassie’s tenure. I don’t think it’s happened much before,

“I think Johan van Graan is someone. If he has success with Bath, and consistent success, I think he’ll certainly put himself in the frame. It didn’t work at Munster with a different culture, different team, different budgets, all that kind of stuff.

“He didn’t have his start at Bath, but he’s put them in a position now where they’re very powerful, very strong, and, I would imagine, he would be in contention to possibly go back there,” Quinlan added.

“I’d be surprised if South Africa, if Rassie said he’s finishing after the 2027 World Cup, that they’re not looking now, they’re not lining up coaches, which would be very sensible. Obviously, you can’t get people to commit to that, but just having drawn up a list of people who potentially could be in the mix to monitor them and keep in touch with them and all that kind of stuff.”

Who should coach Springboks next?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/springboks-future-top-contenders-to-replace-rassie-erasmus-revealed/