Report: Erasmus and Nienaber safe from job scrutiny by SA board

The tenures of Springboks Jacques Nienaber and SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus will not be discussed when the SARU board meet this week according to a report Afrikaans newspaper Rapport.

While there hasn’t been widespread discussion about either losing their role, Erasmus antics have been a sideshow for the team and have dragged the Springboks brand with former captain John Smit saying the side has been ‘hard to like’ as a result.

Another ex-captain Victor Matfield called on SA Rugby to take action with Erasmus, either publicly condemning or standing by his actions instead of remaining silent.

Erasmus has recently been suspended for two matches by World Rugby for a second time, just weeks after finishing his first 12-month ban, while Nienaber has a success rate of 62 per cent in two full seasons as head coach of the side.

SA Rugby’s agenda for this week’s board meeting, which doesn’t include discussion around either’s job, confirms that the Union are happy with the duo and the direction of the Springboks according to Rapport. 

The Boks were two from four on their European tour, losing tight contests to Ireland and France while finishing strong with big wins over Italy and England.

The Currie Cup and the future of the domestic competition is understood to be an item of high priority for the board.