World Rugby suspend South Africa's Rassie Erasmus for two months

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been banned for two months from all rugby activity after six charges of misconduct against him were upheld.

The 49-year-old, who guided South Africa to a World Cup triumph in 2019 edition in Japan is also suspended from all match-day activities, including coaching and media engagement until 30th September next year and a warning was issued to his future conduct. He was also asked to issue an apology to the relevant officials.

Erasmus was charged by World Rugby after he released a 62-minute video following South Africa's first Test against the British and Irish Lions criticising the match officials especially Australian referee Nic Berry while listing out 26 decisions that went against the Springboks as they succumbed to a 17-22 defeat.

Both South Africa Rugby and Erasmus attended a disciplinary hearing chaired by Christopher Quinlan QC, together with Nigel Hampton QC and Judge Mike Mika (both New Zealand) and were proved guilty of the charges.

The six charges upheld against Erasmus include

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.

Meanwhile, the South African board were fined £20,000 and issued a warning over future conduct and ordered an apology be made to the relevant match officials.

The two charges upheld against South Africa Rugby include

1. did not ensure that Rassie Erasmus complied with the World Rugby Code of Conduct and/or permitted Mr Erasmus to commit acts of misconduct; and/or did not publicly correct any comments or publications by or on behalf of Mr Erasmus that amounted to misconduct; and
2. permitted and/or did not prevent Siya Kolisi and Mzwandile Stick to make comments at a press conference on 30 July, 2021 that were not disciplined or sporting and adversely affected the game of rugby; and/or did not publicly correct any such comments so as adversely affected the game of rugby.

Both Erasmus and South Africa Rugby can appeal against the decision within seven days from receipt of the full written decision.