Rassie Erasmus branded 'prat' and 'numpty' by renowned UK rugby writer

Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has been branded a ‘prat’ by renowned UK rugby writer Stephen Jones.

Despite South Africa indicating otherwise previously, Erasmus resumed his role as ‘water carrier’ during the Springboks’ 30 – 15 victory over Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday. It was an interesting choice by South Africa given the imminent World Rugby disciplinary panel Erasmus faces over his British & Irish Lions video.

The controversial talking head video has been the focus of debate since it was released a few days after the first British & Irish Lions test in Cape Town and many expect the governing body to make an example of him.

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Erasmus’s weekend moonlighting role versus Scotland didn’t go unnoticed of course and was a topic of debate both online and in the Sunday newspapers.

Want some water? #SCOvRSA #AUTUMNNATIONSSERIES pic.twitter.com/a58BMP842i

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 13, 2021

The Sunday Times’ own Stephen Jones took aim at the maverick DoR, describing him as a ‘right royal prat’ and suggested his upcoming defence of the 62-minute long video rant – on the grounds that it was meant to be a private video – as completely farcical.

“Previously, he (Erasmus) was regarded as one of rugby’s great men. But in July, he became the man who poisoned a Lions series,” Jones wrote in his column. “Miscreants accused of the worst kinds of foul play can expect to have their disciplinary cases dealt with within three days. It is now not much less than four months since Erasmus, the South Africa director of rugby, appeared alone in a 62-minute video in which, among other treats, he savaged the officiating of the refereeing team – led by the Australian, Nic Berry – in the first Test between the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions…

“In the video, Erasmus also exonerated himself from an accusation that by racing round the field during the Lions series acting as a water-carrier – conducting frequent mini-coaching seminars in breaks in play and generally roaring at his players – he had infringed the spirit of the regulations. In addition, to many of us, he looked a right royal prat.”

“Erasmus claimed that he did not put the tape out on social media himself and was not speaking in his professional capacity. But he conducted himself dressed in the finest Bok livery and leisurewear as he spoke.

“And if he thought that 62 minutes of the national coach rambling angrily in the hour of defeat was going to be kept secret, then he must be the biggest IT numpty in the history of civilisation.”

Erasmus replied to the Tweet about Jones comments with a sheep emoji.

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— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 16, 2021

Head coach Jacques Nienaber has said that a decision on what sideline role – if any – Erasmus plays against England will be decided on Thursday.