Erasmus said the players’ patience with all the squad rotations throughout the season was admirable. The Boks won 11 of their 13 matches in 2024, with their only two defeats being by one point against Ireland and Argentina respectively.

Adding to these accolades, the 45-12 victory over Wales ensured Boks were unbeaten on their traditional November tour for the first time since 2013.

“It was nice for the team to have achieved all of that,” said Erasmus.

“I was worried at first about how the players will take the swapping, but we were honest with them at the beginning of the season, and they all bought into the plan, which is admirable.

“We also got a new attack and defence coach in this year (Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery) and the way they slotted in and assisted the team was fantastic.

“We are satisfied with the scoreboard (against Wales) and the year in general. And one must applaud the players for their effort, especially since we made so many changes.

“It’s rewarding that we were able to finish the year using 50 players. We lost rhythm at times, but the way Siya (Kolisi) and the other leaders kept the group together was special.”

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, meanwhile, gave the credit to Erasmus for the team’s success this season and over the last few years in which they won back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, a British & Irish Lions Tour and the 2024 Castle Lager Rugby Championship to add to a handful of other trophies.

Kolisi, who played in his 92^nd Test in Cardiff, said the way Erasmus took the pressure off him as the captain was instrumental in the team’s success, while he full of praise for the Bok coach after the victory.

“We are so lucky with the kind of leadership we have in this group, and the way coach Rassie set up the group and took the pressure away from me with everyone having their own pressure points really helps,” said Kolisi.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved, and to be honest, the younger me would have never thought I would be here, and that’s why it’s all so special.

“We now have to go back to our unions and clubs and have to wait six months to fight again for our places in the squad for next year.”

Zooming in on the battle against Wales, Erasmus said their hosts delivered a determined performance despite everything they’ve been through as a team this season.

“They’re a gutsy team and having been part of the first team that lost against them in 1999, I can attest to that,” said Erasmus.

“They are a tough bunch and they could have lied down when had built up a good lead, especially given how hard we were going at them, but they fought and hung in there and scored again at the end.”

The bulk of the Springbok squad will depart for South Africa on Sunday night and land late Monday afternoon.