Rassie Erasmus’ days as the Springboks’ water-carrier are reportedly over, under World Rugby’s expected new rules barring him from taking the field.
According to British newspaper The Times, the sport’s governing body wants to limit the number of backroom staff entering the field and stop them from interfering with play.
Erasmus, SA Rugby’s director of rugby, caused an outcry during the 2021 British & Irish Lions series against the Boks, being on the sidelines and carrying tactical messages during matches.
The current regulations stipulate only the head coach was prevented from being on field, but World Rugby is set to announce that it will expand the wording to include both coach and director of rugby positions.
READ: ‘Rassie is the Michael Scofield of rugby’
It will also limit the number of water breaks to two per half in an attempt to speed up the game, and physios entering the field during play and shouting instructions will also be prohibited, as will backroom staff catching kicks to prevent the opposition from taking a quick lineout. The sanction for both will be a penalty.
These regulations are understood to come into effect in a global trial on 1 July, and will be included in the women’s World Cup later this year and the 2023 World Cup in France.
Erasmus is currently banned from all match-day activities until October, following his controversial video on referee Nic Berry’s officiating during the Lions series.
