The rough-haired golden mole is generally larger than most of the other species of golden mole, with a total length of 120–175 mm and a mass of 90-160 g. In the Transvaal region which is associated with land north of modern-day Vaal river in South Africa, males had an average mass of 105 grams while females had a range of mass from 65 to 142 grams. It characteristically has a coarse and long pelage with hairs 18–20 mm long on the back. The glossy individual hairs of the guard coat on the mid-back are slate-grey at the base with reddish brown to brown at the tip. The under fur is woolly and grey. The claws of the third digit on the front feet are powerful and about 1.6 cm in length.
