South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus will be stepping down after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he confirmed this week.
The former Springbok returned to South Africa as its director of rugby, a role that entails responsibilities across all parts of the game.
Many of those duties were shelved when he replaced Allister Coetzee, who was sacked early in 2018.
At the time of returning to South Africa, he hadn't planned on taking the national team's reins and despite having a six-year contract in that director role, he isn't extending his time as coach.
Speaking to South Africa's SuperSport, Erasmus said the 2019 Rugby World Cup would be his last tournament in charge.
“I’m only head coach until the World Cup next year,” he said.
“The six years (contract) is not there to protect myself … it’s there to protect SA Rugby. As we all know, if I don’t perform then the people will vote me out,” he said.
“When I was appointed director of rugby … at that stage, I still thought Allister Coetzee was continuing. The leadership asked Allister to step down and then asked me to step in.
“The moment I am finished with this (head coach role) and for the next six months, I will be involved with them (the other South African rugby structures) a lot.”
Erasmus will be working closely with the Bulls in Super Rugby in 2019 and Rugby SA's national coaches will all be available to go to their professional provinces if requested.
