Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has been honoured with South Africa’s highest national award, the Order of Ikhamanga, for his role in the team’s Rugby World Cup successes and his ability to unite the nation through rugby, with the award being presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
A warm feeling all round — that is how Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has described being named for SA’s highest national honour, the Order of Ikhamanga.
The award recognises his role in the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup success and his ability to turn the sport into something that gets the whole country on the same side of the field, even if only for 80 minutes at a time.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially present the order at an investiture ceremony on Tuesday next week.
The announcement was made by Phindile Baleni, Chancellor of the National Orders and director-general in the Presidency on Thursday.
Speaking to IOL on Thursday night, Erasmus said the order carried the fingerprints of many people who shaped his rugby journey along the way.
“Everyone contributes to something like this, I am extremely proud,” Erasmus said.
"It’s a 'wow' moment for me, genuinely.”
There’s no disputing that Erasmus is the maverick coach in world rugby, and also probably the best in the game at the moment.
If you’re South African, Erasmus is widely regarded as the best Springboks coach with his crowning glory being Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. However, internationally and in Ireland in particular, credit for Erasmus is not as forthcoming.In 2025, the Springboks not only defended their Rugby Championship title but also went unbeaten on their November European Tour.
That included victory over France, and most significantly, a victory over Ireland in Dublin for the first time since 2012.
Rassie Erasmus, right, and his lifelong friend Frikkie Erasmus (no relation), who will receive the award on his behalf. Picture supplied
Image: supplied
Erasmus said he was dedicating the order to the people and places that helped build him from his early days in the game.
“I dedicate this to the people of Despatch, Bloemfontein, club rugby that I played in, the Lions which I played for for a short while, and all those who were with me when I came through as a junior Springbok,” Erasmus said.
He said he would not be able to attend the ceremony as he will be at an alignment camp on the same day.
Instead, he said his lifelong friend Frikkie Erasmus, 81, would attend the investiture on his behalf.
“Frikkie and I have been friends for many years," he said.
"He is like a father to me, my advisor, personal lawyer."
He said the moment carried extra meaning because of a full-circle link involving Frikkie and the late world-renowned heart surgeon Christiaan Barnard.
Barnard performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant in 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.
He was later also honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga in 2009 for his outstanding contribution to medicine and science.
Frikkie had previously accepted the order on Barnard’s behalf at a national investiture ceremony.
Erasmus said that connection made the moment even more special.
"How special is that?" Erasmus said.
"I am just so honoured."
He said he wanted to thank many people who had been part of his rugby journey, adding that the honour should be shared rather than seen as belonging to one individual.
“I know it sounds like a moerse cliché, but that is why clichés exist... because they are true,” Erasmus said.
“It is sad these orders only go to one person, but I want to share it with everyone,” he said.
He said it was a very warm feeling and he was grateful.