World Rugby won’t keep Rassie Erasmus out of Twickenham

Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus may have been banned from all rugby-related activities for two months but he’s going to be right there next to the field on Saturday, because…

Well, because South Africans just are the way they are, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Case in point, South African rugby fans who plan on attending Saturday’s rugby match, and who have devised a scheme to ensure Rassie continues to be a thorn in the side of World Rugby despite his ban.

This after Springbok captain Siya Kolisi admitted that it would be tough for the team without Rassie on the sideline.

Also Read: Go Bokke! We are with you

The scheme involves wearing homemade Rassie Erasmus masks, and based on the support the #JusticeforRassie hashtag is getting on social media, England now might have to deal with hundreds of Rassies, instead of one.

It’s not clear who came up with the idea, but plenty of supporters have promised to join in.

Erasmus’ ban comes after a video in which he highlights several “incorrect” refereeing decisions in the first Test against the Lions by Australian referee Nic Berry.

The 60 minute video rubbed the big shots at World Rugby the wrong way, and they brought the following six charges, for breaches of Regulation 18 and the rugby body’s code of conduct against him:

1. 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 making good on that threat; published or permitted to be published the Erasmus Video containing numerous comments that were either abusive, insulting and/or offensive to match officials;
2. Attacked, disparaged and/or denigrated the game and the match officials;
3. Did not accept or observe the authority and decisions of match officials;
4. Published or caused to be published criticism of the manner in which a match official handled a match;
5. Engaged in conduct or activity that may impair public confidence in the integrity and good character of match official(s); and
6. Brought the game into disrepute when he published or caused to be published the Erasmus Video.

Also Read: World Rugby suspend Rassie Erasmus, fine SA Rugby

Erasmus’ punishment was the following:

Suspension with immediate effect from all rugby activities for two months.

Suspension from all match-day activities (including coaching, contact with match officials, and media engagement) with immediate effect until 30 September 2022.

A warning as to his future conduct and an apology to the relevant match officials.

Sanctions against SA Rugby are:

A fine of £20,000 (R418,000)

A warning as to future conduct and an apology to the relevant match officials

• Additional Reporting by Ross Roche