1
'Don't be a parasite' warns Erasmus in his latest Twitter message
By
Liam Heagney
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has posted his latest tweet, defending his use of social media in recent days to highlight his rugby observations and calling on his critics not to be a parasite. The South African rugby director stirred up controversy over the weekend in the wake of his team’s latest tour loss, the 30-26 defeat to France in Marseille.
ADVERTISEMENT
Erasmus posted a series of six video clips highlighting how he felt his team had suffered an alleged injustice in the French loss that came seven days after they had been beaten by Ireland in Dublin.
His latest criticisms, though, appear to have reached a tipping point, causing a huge divide on Twitter between people vehemently supporting what he has done and those who feel he has taken things too far on this occasion.
Erasmus has now written a 55-word message advising what those people who disagree with him can do. “Guys, please free to block or mute me. It’s really not a problem and better for our health,” he began.
“Sorry if any of the tweets were offending you!! Also, if you don’t agree with my tweets please ignore them and don’t use for clickbait, man. Use your own tweets and stuff. Don’t be a parasite. Lekka.”
Guys please free to block or mute me, its really not a problem and better for our health!! Sorry if any of the tweets were offending you!! Also of you dont agree with my tweets please ignore them&dont use for click bate man, use your own tweets and stuff dont be a parasite Lekka
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 14, 2022
The end-of-year four-game Springboks European tour – which next features a match versus Italy – is Erasmus’ first matchday involvement with the South African national team since his ban last November following the infamous 62-minute video filmed after their first Test of the Lions series in July 2021 criticising the match officials.
His latest video series began with a sarcastic message about fixing fundamental errors like tackle technique and simple passing. He then reflected on the Deon Fourie yellow card before commenting on the actions of Gael Fickou, footage of the respective No9s under pressure, and also “optical illusion” passes.
ADVERTISEMENT
An earlier text message had explained what he was up to with his video series and what he was looking to achieve. “Just working through the game and all the lessons we can take from it… and see some learnings that can educate us and shows the opposite please share with us! Will keep them coming so our South Africans understand where we are at!!”
I know guys and accept it, we really only have ourselves to blame as the French were awsome both on the field (players)and off the field (supporters)!! We just have to fix these fundamental errors like tackle technique and simple passing 👇🏿Sorry 🇿🇦 we know 💔 pic.twitter.com/hte6ggyXk9
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 12, 2022
Deon copping a lot of flack for this yellow card, to be honest I also thought the Blue 16 detached and maul over, we just have to work harder and make sure we understand the rules correctly! Very costly 🟨 ! We deserve all the criticism!! Sorry 🇿🇦 💔 pic.twitter.com/vyBTf5dUXO
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 13, 2022
This so clever by Fickou, the way he moves and presents himself on our side of the ruck has no influence on our speed of the ball from the ruck !! We can certainly learn from this !! Sorry 🇿🇦💔 pic.twitter.com/nCisruylk4
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 13, 2022
Both the 🇫🇷 and 🇿🇦 9’s under immense pressure !! We just have to get that on side right!!Sorry 🇿🇦💔 pic.twitter.com/srzoaBjm89
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 13, 2022
Learning!! Those long passes just have an optical illusion attached to it, we will work hard at it!! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/T76fdJk4y1
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 13, 2022
Xolo asisiva isiFrench pic.twitter.com/3XIgtD9asz
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 14, 2022
You tell them Rassie what a boykie 😉