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Rassie Erasmus fires back at New Zealand pundits after personal attack
By Josh Raisey
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has responded to the personal attack he received from Kiwi pundits Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg, saying he hopes “you guys are doing well”.
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Stevenson and former All Black Dagg had compared Erasmus to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen from Dune and Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars on Friday, the day before his Springboks side beat the All Blacks 31-27 at Emirates Airline Park.
Speaking on his SENZ Radio Show Scotty & Izzy, Stevenson criticised Erasmus’ behaviour around the selection of Eben Etzebeth last week, comparing him to the villainous characters, while also appearing to make a reference to his weight, though he quickly backtracked.
“What about Rassie Erasmus? Does he just treat the world like his own kind of empire now, does he?” he said.
“If Eben Etzebeth has been named on the bench a day after saying he’s been ruled out with a knee injury, he was never ruled out. That just doesn’t happen. And you know, the games this guy [Erasmus] plays, you know, like there’s a part of me that says is well played, sir. There’s another part of you that just gets sick of it.
“And the one thing I saw notice the press conferences this week and the video coverage. Is it just me, or is Rassie Erasmus looking every day more like Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, leader of the House of Harkonnen from Dune? Like, seriously, what’s going on?
“How much Klippies [Brandy] and coke has he been on?
“Honestly, he’s just sitting there and he reminds me of, and this is not a weight issue, but he had the countenance of Jabba the Hutt, sort of a man just holding court and just knowing that he was the boss of his empire in that moment. It is really strange.
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“But Eben Etzebeth, like there’s no way, if you’ve got an MCL that’s ruled you out of a test, you’re not starting on the bench.
“So the one thing I’d say about that is, you know, it’s one thing to play games, it’s another just a straight out lie about your team list.
“I find that a little bit strange, especially given where sport is and the decisions people are making around sports. And I think, you know where I’m getting at for those listeners at home. You know, it’s just gaming the system.
“And, you know, I know he’s treated as king in South Africa, but you know, gee he treads a line, doesn’t he?”
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Stevenson has since issued a tongue-in-cheek apology on his show after initial comments received a fierce backlash online. He has, however, denied that he commented on Erasmus’ weight.
“Well it transpired over the weekend that some people have become rather annoyed with what was said on the show,” Stevenson said.
“We are used that even as trained, seasoned broadcasters, we say things that not everyone agrees with and last week on the show it just so happens that in trying to describe the behaviour of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus at a press conference, I made some very unfair comparisons between two memorable villains of the cinematic universe and the Springbok coach – who I forgot was treated as God in South Africa – and plenty of people worship at that altar I can assure you – and also worship at the altar of social media, as I’ve found out.
“So, I think an apology is in order and I think some fans have got the wrong end of the stick here and I wanted to be the first to put my hand up and apologise to those who were offended by the fact that I compared Rassie Erasmus’ behaviour and demeanour to that of Baron Harkonnen from Dune and Jabba the Hutt, the uber-villain from Star Wars.
“So to the fans of and the casting crew and the producers of Dune and Star Wars, you have my heartfelt apologies for making such an unfair comparison to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
“I compared his behaviour to the villainous aspects of Baron Harkonnen and Jabba the Hutt. I didn’t compare his weight to those two characters and that assertion is completely out of line from all of those who believe that Rassie Erasmus is the most untouchable man in rugby.
“He is so untouchable that he is apparently that the Springboks have lodged a formal complaint with World Rugby over the timing of the Wallabies injuries at scrum time during that defeat in Perth.
“So you if you want talk about a team that just will stop at nothing to go after every other team by taking backroom channels and undermining officials and undermining rulings, you’ve got it right there, by the way.
“I thought the Springboks wholeheartedly deserved to win that test on the weekend, but please don’t tell me that Rassie is a man who’s gone through life as a kind-hearted soul, the man is ruthless. We know that. And if you want evidence, talk to any match official over the last four years and they will tell you. Anyway, that’s my apology to fans of Star Wars and Dune this morning.”
Erasmus has responded with what can now be described as a typical Erasmus message on X, brimming with sarcasm.
“Hi Izzy & Scotty,” he wrote. “Hope you guys are doing well.Nice to see Izzy you involved in a podcast man,really happy that the tough times are behind you.Scotty I am not sure if it is the Sumo I knew, If it is you look great and healthy man. Lekka.”
Hi Izzy & Scotty @SENZBreakfast.Hope you guys are doing well.Nice to see Izzy you involved in a podcast man,really happy that the tough times are behind you.Scotty I am not sure if it is the Sumo I knew, If it is,you look great and healthy man. Lekka
Rassie— ☝🏼Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) September 2, 2024
Fair enough to have a go at him about lying about the team list, did anyone really believe Etzebeth was injured? I did not.
But having a go at him about his appearance is juvenile, but sadly par for the course for a lot of these ex NZ players turned pundits who think they're funny.
Yup, the attacks are all only personal because they can't genuinely criticism his antics knowing that it works so well. I don't really know why they bother saying what they said because it all it says is "We are id1ots who don't really have anything nice to say to Rassie and so we will make personal attacks." What they forget is, Rassie doesn't really hang on to the words of okes who are not worth his time. It's why he could calmly respond and say what he said. Just to clarify Rassie isn't God and we all know that but he is a genius coach.
News of the World!
Online media is just one big ball of clickbait. I think the CPT match will be tight. Look for 20% turnover in the bok lineup and a focus on fewer errors (less flashy line break plays, better lineouts)
Well I guess Izzy and Sumo's response says more about them than Rassie. I wonder what they will come up with this week or next week after the AB clash in Cape Town. I'm surprised they haven't had a go at SA as a 'Third World' nation yet, or haven't had a go at the Paralympians yet.
Sumo & Izzie looking for a headline, job done. Clowns though on this one.
Kom mense, wat verwag julle van 'n paar skaapnaaiing poephols soos daardie twee, selfs een van hulle het gespiel vir die ABs? (Verskoning vra vir die Rooinek Afrikaans maar ek moet dit verby die censors kry.)
🤣🤣
I think the Kiwi’s are great people. They share our obsession for the game and have been the bar to achieve for so long. Now when they see it drifting away they drop cheap journalism onto a platform. On Saturday they simply couldn’t pit the game to bed. This used to be the Boks issue. Now we have turned a massive corner. We are the Bar and it’s our time in the sun. Sometimes you just have to applaud success.
A comedy show has gotten to rassie. Geez.....What a big man he is. Maybe he could do a 60 min video and then claim he didnt release it
In this case no cheap journalism took place whatsoever, reporting on this whole affair is the cheap journalism. Most NZ radio shows are quite frankly this embarrassing; cheap rubbish where some try-hard hosts do their best to be "funny" and spark outrage. The best thing South Africans could've done is ignore it, instead they're giving these clowns the kind of attention they desire.
Springbok success is to be applauded. They are playing great rugby. They are well coached and now have talent they never exhibited before. I thinks it’s the lack of humility that gets to so many, including me.
The article doesn’t reference that many of the South Africans issue with the statements made by these two class acts was because Rassie has a chronic illness which affects his appearance.
Be that as it may, I don’t think anyone has the right to get offended on someone else’s behalf. Rassie probably couldn’t give a hoot anyway.
While we’re on the subject of looks, with all those too hot to handle hairstyles in the AB team - could someone attend to Razor’s hairdo? It looks like he’s wearing a wet bathroom floor mat on his head. I’d have thought someone would have taken to him with a clipper by now to help him out.
Ireland took the stuff that was fired at them. Lost the first game. Didn't whinge about and came out stronger and beat SA. They got booed during the game.
Sure , respect the Haka but it's not s sacred cow. It's nothing more than pre-match entertainment. The idea that is an opportunity to get in touch with their ancestors and celebrate their culture is at this stage far fetched.
Keep the Haka, it's entertaining and I don't agree with it being booked.
Roll on the coming season in the N. Hemisphere
SA are the worst. I mean you all seem pretty despicable at the level of controversy you cause and how much you flat out cheat. Terrible sportsmen.
And you guys never noticed that lsd makes you see things that are not there or are most of you just Karen's disguised as Kevin's?
Strong statements. The only one on here that's acting despicable is you unfortunately. However, if you're going to go down that road please enlighten us examples of where we are cheating or are your comments just vitriol?
4 world cups🥳 suck it buttercup
And your xenophobic comments? Where about from the advanced, first world west do you hail from, O master(!), that entitles you to freely make such prejudiced stereotypical comments such as these? What privilege!
Chances are you’re about as big a pleb as anyone else. And certainly nothing more than a bored troll.
Calm down - I was at the Rugby World Cup QF matches of NZ and SA. The NZ fans are very reserved sometimes to the point of appearing smug. The SA fans are raucous, sometimes to the point of being boorish. Ellis Park is not Eden Park. They are from different cultures, and no one deserves to be insulted like Rassie was.
And oh yes. What was the name of that lock that fell out of the lineout like he was pushed --- Whetton? Not sure. Great sportsmen. And of course Umaga's tackle on O'Driscoll. Then the tackle law was brought in for the shoulder charges New Zealanders were famous for as taught by the Islanders. Need more evidence of NZ honour being upheld. Not enough space. NZ rugby greatness on a rapid dcline
Need to attend John Kirwan's mental institution
All, you mean all 60 million. Muppet
Want some Cheese with that whine?
hope the AB's win at some stage because the whining is at England levels
I don't see much evidence of England whining tbh in recent years. Still don't know how we get that reputation as I see so much whining from other nations nowadays...
Is the AB envy and subsequent derision on the level of the white orcs comments against the English in 2003, or the Johnny Wilkinson darts board from the Aussies in the same year? Maybe. If so Baksteen, you should feel honoured, as it means that your boks are feared that much!! ;)
This hypocrisy from South African fans needs to stop. Probably the most toxic Rugby fanbase out there atm, yet they have the audacity to feign outrage when similarly-minded people do the same to their team? Made even worse by the fact the Springboks coach himself engages in this type of behaviour as well.
Wow. Sorry boss. Obviously no hypocrisy in NZ then. SO sorry oh superior beings.
This site seems to be a favourite hunting ground for people like yourself that want to say negative things about South Africans, without fear.
Wildly prejudiced and stereotype comments made by people like you that seems to be completely acceptable.
Why don’t you stop the piece of Sh1t behavior you’re supposedly calling out in others, lead by example and focus on the rugby?
Because that’s probably not what you’re here for.
As a Bok fan we aren't the ones going around claiming to be the best, are just enjoying the ride. Ireland fans on the other hand can't take a summer holiday, always inserting themselves into Bok and NZ conversations in general I find. Peak insecurity.
Well done, got the word toxic in, nice to read something new and refreshing.
What outrage?
Most thought this banter was hilarious.
Apology to Star Wars characters an absolute gem😂
To be fair, Rassie spouts an enormous amount of ignorant 💩 himself.
. He doss it so his thicko supporters can follow along.
He knows he would have never got away with that 💩 at Munster. It's sad how he's had to fegrade himself to meet third world requirements.
I have to agree with DC000. I hate South Africa. I hate the steaks, I hate the great wine, I hate the warm weather, I hate all the hot women, I hate the safari and the beaches. I hate the winning rugby. I hate the back-to-back RWC wins. I hate the innovative coach.
En yoo shud lurn ha ter speke proppa u dum twat.
You should refrain from insulting an entire continent by referring to them as “third world”. It makes you look kinda idiotic
Aaaaw, poor naaigie. Can't stop itself from cutting & pasting the same sad lame crap over and over and over and again...
Don't worry, it'll be saturday soon & you & daddy can earn a few bucks on the backseat of mommy's taxi.
You're a perfect fit at that level.
In Afrikaans we have a word for people like you. Tief!
Cant think of many ‘kind hearted souls’ with a couple of wc’s in their hands…???🤔😉😂
You know you’ve hit rock bottom as a journalist when you start mocking about how someone looks. Rock bottom. Should probably move on to something else. Anyway, Rassie has put his body on the line for something he believes in.
Rassie was all-in as a player and as a coach he is the same. He will game the system in order to gain an advantage.
Can you think of an other players/coaches who did/still do the same? Think ABs former captains,
He is no saint but but many Bok fans are more than delighted with his results.
Erasmus is only concerned with SA success. It's a war with him. I understand that although I saw the nasty side in his attempted portrayal of Ireland as arrogant before the recent series. His regret for that (if it exists) is only because it didn't help the war effort.
Kiwis who have conned refs for decades and probably centuries dont have a foot to stand on. The fangs come out immediately. Opponentsto the ABs are demonized. The reasons are made up later. It was clear that this was a personal attack on his appearance and weight. Chickensh1t by them.
The truth shall set you free. Rassie never called the Irish arrogant. That was Eben who said it in an interview on the Jim Hamilton podcast. A comment that was taken out of context by many a people with fragile souls.
Also, if you actually bother to go through the various article when Ireland was in SA you will see that Rassie had nothing but respect and praise for the Irish team and for the coaching staff.
We get it. You guys don't like Rassie. Thats OK but get the facts straight before you get on the high horse.
There is not much to be happy about in Nz these days. The economy is tanking, people are leaving the country and yes the rugby is not up to the high standard it should be. I do not recomend that these guy's come visit in the republic soon.
Rassie was attempting to hype the test series up against Ireland IMO, he speaks fondly about his time there and wouldn’t have asked Felix and subsequently Flannery into the fold if he had any ill feelings towards the Irish, quite the contrary - he’s been clear about how much he rates them. Sometimes I feel he goes too far but as time passes you get to understand that he’s just a wind up merchant having a bit of fun, he’s good for the game now that Eddie Jones is no longer the pantomime villain. NZ nefarious tactics in their red zone has always been part of their game…
I was really disappointed by Sumo and Izzy. I heard the first clip and thought it was a pretty crummy thing to say. The 'apology', however, is just vile.
The hilarious part is that Rassie just sits and chuckles to himself. Mission accomplished.