SA Rugby bosses are irate with Rassie Erasmus and his conduct may yet result in more serious sanctions from World Rugby, according to reports.
The SA Rugby director of rugby was on Thursday handed a second consecutive stadium ban from World Rugby in the wake of his latest social media rants.
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Erasmus’ suspension is merely a temporary measure to get him away from matches and out of the media, and that World Rugby is considering taking the matter further.
Also, Rapport understands that SA Rugby considered sending Erasmus home from tour, although SA Rugby president Mark Alexander told the newspaper that they “do not discuss personnel matters in the media”.
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However, it is believed that Alexander, who was overseas with SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux when Erasmus’ suspension was announced, is furious after the latest debacle.
Several SA coaches and union bosses have also told Rapport that Erasmus’ behaviour is selfish, and that his ban is tarnishing SA rugby’s image and is sure to have a negative affect on other SA teams playing abroad.
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Speaking on condition of anonymity, one prominent rugby boss said: “We are sick of it. It has to stop now, he has gone too far now.”
“We are so unhappy about this, it is incredibly amateurish and unprofessional,” a leading coach added. “He is the director of rugby in South Africa. There are other teams other than the Boks that also need his attention.
“I feel good progress has been made since last year’s disastrous start to the United Rugby Championship. But since then things have gone south again in terms of communication with overseas referees.”
Another coach highlighted Erasmus’ overemphasis on the officiating of overseas referees to that of locals’ performances, saying they require as much of his attention.
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“As director of rugby, Rassie has a direct influence on the performances of our own referees. He sits in referee meetings,” the coach said. “Yet there are blatant mistakes every week. Not only from the referees, but also from the television referees.
“Why does it only matter if Test referees make mistakes in Bok matches? That’s what makes me angry. How will he feel if we coaches share a video every weekend on Twitter about how bad the referees are. It will turn into a circus.”
Photo: Andres Larroverre/AFP/Getty Images
