Rassie Erasmus has opted against staying in Ireland with the South Africa A side and will instead travel with the Springboks to help with preparations for the Test against France on Saturday.

SA Rugby director of rugby Erasmus was originally expected to join Mzwandile Stick and his coaching team in Cork for the match between South Africa A and Munster on Thursday.

TEAM: Bok shocks in SA A side to face Munster

However, SA Rugby confirmed on Monday that Erasmus instead has joined the Springbok team in France, as they bid to bounce back from the narrow loss to Ireland in Dublin.

After naming the SA A team to face Munster, head coach Stick said he was confident the coaching staff would be able to cope without Erasmus’ presence in the camp.

“Rassie felt needed to be in the Bok camp to help turn things around,” said Stick. “There is a lot of work that is needed with Boks this week.

“I am taking the leadership role as head coach, but we also have Bafana [Nhleko] who is head coach of the Junior Springboks. I have no doubt that we have the right people for the job.

“Joey [Mongalo] is very experienced and has coached at the Lions, Vodacom Bulls and Sharks. I also have to mention [scrum coach] Wiaan [du Preez], he knows the conditions here very well and knows what we can expect from Munster.”

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Photo: Twitter: @Springboks