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South Africa left controversial director of rugby Rassie Erasmus at home when the team left for The Rugby Championship in Australia, but he might join the tour later.
The world’s most highly credentialled water boy is awaiting a World Rugby hearing and is facing a number of charges following his video rant last month over the officiating of Nic Berry in the Springboks’ series against the Lions.
“Rassie has decided to remain in South Africa, for now, to allow the focus around the team to remain on the Rugby Championship and the team itself so that they can perform to the best of their ability on the field,” coach Jacques Nienaber told reporters.
“He will continue to play an active role in our team and coaches meetings throughout the tour and, schedule permitting, he may join us later on.”
World Rugby found the direct nature of Erasmus’s unprecedented public outburst requires a misconduct charge.
“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game,” a World Rugby statement said.
The statement added that the video – in which Erasmus criticised Australian referee Berry during his 62-minute dissection of his side’s 22-17 defeat in Cape Town – was a breach of World Rugby Regulations and would be considered by an independent disciplinary panel.
Potential sanctions for Erasmus, who now serves as South Africa’s director of rugby, range from a warning or a fine, to a possible suspension from his position as an administrator.
“SA Rugby has noted the charges brought by World Rugby and will respond through the designated channels. There will be no further comment until the process is complete,” SA Rugby said in a statement.
The Springboks had been angered by comments made by Lions coach Warren Gatland before the series started after scrumhalf Faf de Klerk evaded a red card for a tackle in South Africa ‘A’s victory over the tourists.
A date for the actual misconduct hearing will be announced imminently, with World Rugby expected to release details of who will sit on the independent panel for the most high profile case in years.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.