SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has announced that he will be able to share his “side of the story” in a new documentary produced by SuperSport.
Erasmus compiled a video in which he pointed out and broke down 26 errors made by Australian referee Nic Berry in the first Test between the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions.
The director of rugby and his employers were cited in October for bringing the game into disrepute and World Rugby levelled six charges against Erasmus for various breaches of regulation 18 and the code of conduct.
Three days before the Springboks faced England at Twickenham, World Rugby announced that Erasmus had been handed a two-month ban from all rugby and a six-month suspension from match-day activities. Shortly after the ban was handed down, SA Rugby and Erasmus announced their intention to appeal the decision.
However, in a short statement this week, SA Rugby confirmed that it had withdrawn the appeal, a decision reportedly made easier by the fact that SA Rugby and Erasmus were not required to personally apologise to Berry.
In a social media post on Sunday, Erasmus said he was ‘excited’ to be given the opportunity to tell his version of events in a new documentary.
So excited!! part of a documentary that we’re working on (I do have some time at hand) with Supersport I’ll be able to share my side of the story !! Thank you @SuperSportTV
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 28, 2021
Erasmus has also come under heavy criticism for his role as a water carrier on Springbok matchdays. World Rugby said in a statement on Friday that it will be reviewing the rules governing the conduct of water carriers on the sidelines.
It has yet to be announced when the new documentary will be coming out.
