Rassie Erasmus is redefining how to approach a World Cup cycle by emphasising the importance of the three-year buildup to the tournament for the Springboks, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane notes that Erasmus is not looking past 2025 and 2026, making it clear that every Test matters for the world champions and no season will be sacrificed in the name of an unprecedented three-peat at Australia 2027.

He highlights Erasmus’ enthusiasm for an intense 15-Test season, including historic back-to-back clashes against the All Blacks in New Zealand and matches against France and Ireland abroad.

Keohane stresses that Erasmus’ selection policy remains performance-driven, with age never a barrier. He cites Deon Fourie as an example of a veteran still firmly in the Bok plans while Eben Etzebeth, despite recent concussion setbacks, remains a key figure.

For Keohane, Erasmus’ approach is once again breaking new ground, just as he did with the evolution of the Bomb Squad.

“Erasmus and the senior Bok players have not shied away from detailing their ambition to be the first team to win the World Cup three times in succession and extend their World Cup gold collection to five,” Keohane writes.

“Erasmus is not discarding any player for 2025, and all assessments of players will be done match for match and season for season.

“Erasmus, as he did with a seven-one forward-dominated impact bench, continues to lead in innovation.

“He is redefining how to approach a four-year World Cup cycle, emphasising that the three years before the World Cup year determines so much of that World Cup year.”