South African rugby is celebrating Rassie Erasmus’s contract extension – but the real story is about the president who made it possible, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane argues that Mark Alexander is the giant whose quiet, unwavering leadership pulled South African rugby “from the abyss to the airspace.”

While Erasmus may be the visionary coach behind the Springboks’ modern golden era, Keohane says none of it happens without the stability, clarity and courage Alexander brought when he convinced Erasmus to return home in 2017.

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Keohane recalls how “the Springboks of 2016 and 2017 weren’t feared and weren’t respected,” yet Alexander never panicked, never sought applause and never made himself the headline. Instead, he held his nerve through financial crises, political disruption, administrative chaos and public backlash – including supporters burning jerseys and sponsors walking away.

Under his presidency, the Boks have won two World Cups, two Castle Rugby Championships, a British & Irish Lions series, and re-established themselves as world rugby’s benchmark. All while becoming “the most transformed team in South Africa’s history.”

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Keohane emphasises that Alexander’s impact extends far beyond the Springboks. His decisive interventions saved Western Province, Eastern Province and Border during collapse, and he carried the criticism so rugby’s structures could survive.

In a sport full of ego, Keohane writes, Alexander “never once made himself the story.” Yet he may be the most important story of all.

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