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South Africa’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has been banned from all rugby activity for two months, and match day activity for 11, after six charges of misconduct against him were upheld.
South Africa rugby will appeal the decision.
The charges were brought by World Rugby in response to Erasmus’ behaviour towards match officials during the Springboks’ 2-1 series victory over the British and Irish Lions in the summer. The main issue was his 62-minute video outlining perceived errors by Australian referee Nic Berry.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL DECISION
Erasmus is also suspended from all match-day activities, including coaching and media engagement, until 30 September 2022. It means the mastermind of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup triumph will play no part in Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.
Erasmus and SA Rugby, who also faced two charges, have confirmed in a statement that they will appeal against the decisions. Erasmus used social media to highlight refereeing inconsistencies, starting with the Lions’ defeat to South Africa A, and after the first Test released an hour-long video critiquing the performance of the officials.
The charges upheld by an independent misconduct committee included attacking, disparaging and/or denigrating the game and match officials and not accepting the authority of match officials.
The first charge said Erasmus threatened a match official that unless a requested meeting took place, he would publish footage containing clips criticising the match official’s performance and then made good on that threat. Erasmus has also been given warning as to his future conduct and must apologise to the relevant match officials.
SA Rugby was charged with allowing Erasmus to commit acts of misconduct and for permitting the captain, Siya Kolisi, and the assistant coach Mzwandile Stick to make comments at a press conference on 30 July that were not “disciplined or sporting and adversely affected the game of rugby”.
Both counts were upheld by the independent misconduct committee, which fined the union 20,000, issued a warning over future conduct and ordered an apology be made to the relevant match officials.
SA Rugby released a short statement in response to the decision.
“SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus have noted the decision of World Rugby’s judicial committee,” it read.
“Both parties confirmed they will exercise their rights to appeal the verdicts.
“Neither party will make any further comment until the process is complete.”
© AAP
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