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Although World Rugby have announced that South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus will face an independent misconduct hearing for comments regarding match officials’ performances during the first Test against the British and Irish Lions, he is set to continue in his role as water carrier for this Saturday’s series deciding third test.
The game’s governing body finally confirmed that Erasmus, and the South Africa union, will face a disciplinary hearing after his infamous 62-man video rant last week during which he highlighted 26 erroneous decisions by referee Nic Berry at the expense of the Springboks in the first Test - won 22-17 by the Lions.
However it is anticipated that the hearing will probably take place after the deciding Test on Saturday, meaning that Erasmus will be allowed to patrol the touchlines and continue to act as a water carrier. He could however face a fine or a suspension, but not until after the conclusion of the series.
“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game,” the World Rugby statement read. “World Rugby condemns any public criticism of their selection, performance or integrity which undermines their role, the well-established and trust-based coach-officials feedback process, and more importantly the values that are at the heart of the sport.
“Having conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials. However, the extensive and direct nature of the comments made by Rassie Erasmus within a video address, in particular, meets the threshold to be considered a breach of World Rugby [REGULATIONS]and will now be considered by an independent disciplinary panel.”
World Rugby has been slow to respond to the Erasmus video, with Lions head coach Warren Gatland urging the governing body to act after the Springboks’ 27-9 triumph in the second Test, while Rugby Australia had issued a strongly worded statement highlighting the “unacceptable” critique of Berry.
“I’m not saying the referee was a cheat at all, saying we just wanted clarity,” commented Erasmus in his video, “which I personally am not very convinced we had from Nic Berry.”
Erasmus also claimed that the South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was shown a lack of respect by Berry, compared to his Lions counterpart Alun Wyn Jones.
“When Siya spoke to the referee and when Alun Wyn spoke to the referee . . . there was a vast difference between who was taken seriously and who wasn’t. It shows the difference in attitude towards the Springboks and the Lions. I am not saying [IT WAS]cheating but the narrative [WAS]imprinted that we are more into foul play and dangerous and reckless play than the Lions.”
Erasmus also offered to step aside as water carrier or to even step down as South Africa’s director of rugby, but he is unlikely to do so now.
A statement by SA Rugby in response read: “SA Rugby has noted the charges brought by World Rugby and will respond through the designated channels.
“Media are advised that there will be no further comment from SA Rugby until the process is complete.”
Earlier in the day the Springboks had expressed their trust in the match officials and World Rugby, perhaps helped by their series-leveling victory and none of their players being cited.
“We’re quite satisfied that the process has been followed,” said forwards coach Deon Davids, maintaining a straight face, when asked about none of his players being cited. “Obviously we trust the processes of World Rugby and then whatever decision they take, we trust the processes and we will abide to that going forward.”