Rassie Erasmus will be awarded the Order of Ikhamanga by President Cyril Ramaphosa at an investiture ceremony on Tuesday, 19 May. The announcement was made on Thursday by Phindile Baleni, Chancellor of the National Orders and director general of the South African Presidency.
Erasmus is one of 40 South Africans and foreign nationals receiving National Orders at the ceremony, with the honour recognising his role in the Springboks' back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, as well as his broader contribution to social cohesion in the country.
"His inspirational leadership in national and international rugby has propelled the Springboks to repeated Rugby World Cup Championships," Baleni said. "Victory on the field of play has advanced social cohesion among South Africans and raised the nation's esteem in the international community."
The Order of Ikhamanga is reserved for South African citizens who have excelled in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism or sport. Kolisi received the same honour in 2023 ahead of the World Cup in France. Erasmus was also awarded an honorary doctorate from North-West University in Potchefstroom in 2024.