Eddie Jones says that Rassie Erasmus’ contract extension through to 2031 was a no-brainer decision as the head coach continues to benefit from his previous work.

Last week, SA Rugby confirmed that the former flanker had signed a contract extension to remain in charge of the back-to-back World Cup winners through to the tournament in the USA.

It’s an unprecedented move that extends his involvement with the Boks to 13 years, with Erasmus initially joining the team as Director of Rugby back in 2018.

Since his return, he has overseen three Rugby Championship victories, a British and Irish Lions series win, and two World Cup successes in his role as DoR and head coach.

Eddie Jones in Rassie’s contract extension

Erasmus took charge of his 53rd Test match as head coach in the final game of 2025, against Wales, a tally that only Jake White (54) has bettered.

Reacting to the news of his extension on the Rugby Unity podcast, Jones said that it seems like a good decision by the SA Rugby board.

“He’s obviously done a very good job. It seems like a sound appointment,” the Japan boss remarked.

“He’s been very good at changing his assistant coaches, and why would you want to leave that job, with the depth of players he’s got? It’s a pretty attractive job.”

SA Rugby end speculation over Rassie Erasmus’ future with update on Springboks assistants imminent

Former Wallabies head coach Ewan McKenzie agreed with Jones, adding that while the job titles have changed for Erasmus, he has been the man ‘pulling the levers’ and driving the team to success since 2018.

There is a risk that having a coach in place for too long can lead to complacency and ultimately a decline in performance. However, McKenzie doesn’t think that the decision to extend Erasmus’ contract for so long will blow up in SA Rugby’s face.

“It’s hard to get a long appointment as a coach. So, that’s a pretty commendable effort,” he said.

“He had his hands on the levers there for some time. Forget about what the job title’s been. He’s had his hands on the levers for some time. So, he’s proved his worth, and he’s proved he’s capable of managing all the forces and the politics that go with being at that level of any rugby organisation.

Readers’ Team of the Year: Don’t agree with World Rugby’s Dream XV backline? Cast your vote!

“And he’s produced a very good succession plan for not only staff but also for the playing group, and he’s been successful, so you can’t begrudge him.

“I don’t think it’ll blow up in their face. Often, when you make a long appointment, it blows up in the administration’s face. I don’t think that’ll happen because he’s been there and controlling the levers for some time now anyway, in whatever role he’s been, whatever job title he’s had, he’s been running the show for some time.”

He has been lucky

Jones said that Erasmus has done well to freshen up his coaching staff, employing the likes of Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and welcoming Felix Jones back after a stint with England.

Eddie Jones’ verdict on what was ‘100% right’ about Eben Etzebeth’s ban despite fans’ outcry

However, it’s the work that Erasmus did before joining Munster that Jones believes he is benefiting from most.

“Before Rassie became the national head coach, he worked as the technical director or whatever term you want to give it, where he basically put in a development system for South African Rugby, now they have a national teams unit that go around the schools pick out the most talented players, make sure they’re in proper S&C programs, and make sure their progress is being monitored,” Jones added.

“So, he’s been lucky enough to put that system in place, which is obviously working pretty well, just have a look at the young players coming through.

“He’s been involved with the whole system, so it seems like a really sound reappointment.”

The development program that Jones references is SA Rugby’s EPD structures, which was run by Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.

Former Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels now heads up the program, with the most recent success story being newly capped Bok prop Zachary Porthen.

READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus shakes ‘dictator’ tag selecting rookie whom he has ‘probably spoken 100 words to’