Rassie Erasmus has refused to apologise for his ongoing referee video rants on social media but veteran rugby scribe Mark Keohane, an ardent supporter of the Bok director of rugby, has labelled his petulance an embarrassment to Bok rugby.
Erasmus has been lambasted for being a sore loser as he continues to showcase videos in which he believes the Boks have been wronged.
Keohane hit back via a post on his blog, telling Erasmus to, “use his infinite rugby knowledge to further the game and not insult it”, and noting that, “the romance of Erasmus has quickly turned to ridicule and his refusal to take a defeat on the chin is alienating him from his supporters and simply embarrassing South African rugby.”
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In the aftermath of the clash, which France won 30-26, Erasmus posted a spate of videos on social media highlighting incidents which were handled questionably by referee Wayne Barnes, who also awarded a contentious late try to Les Bleus.
Last week, Erasmus – after his first Test back at a stadium since completing a matchday ban handed down by World Rugby for criticising match officials – posted a clip casting aspersions on referee Nika Amashukeli’s officiating of the Boks’ defeat to Ireland.
The posts sparked an angry reaction from fans and journalists, who questioned Erasmus’ conduct in the wake of his return from his ban for questioning referees during last year’s British & Irish Lions Series.
Responding to the criticism, the director of rugby gave no indication that he was going to stop, asking those who disagreed with his social media content to stop following him.
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“Guys please [feel] free to block or mute me,” Erasmus said on Twitter. “It’s really not a problem and better for our health!
“Sorry if any of the tweets were offending you!”
Guys please free to block or mute me, its really not a problem and better for our health!! Sorry if any of the tweets were offending you!! Also of you dont agree with my tweets please ignore them&dont use for click bate man, use your own tweets and stuff dont be a parasite Lekka
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 14, 2022
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