World Rugby and Rassie meet over 'match official communications'

NEWS: It has been revealed that World Rugby has had “constructive discussions” with Rassie Erasmus after he received a ban for criticising refereeing decisions on social media recently.

A few days after the Boks’ 26-30 defeat to France, Erasmus received a two-game matchday ban after he published several videos on Twitter that appeared to question decisions made by referee Wayne Barnes during the Springboks’ match in Marseille.

He had made similar comments on social media following South Africa’s defeat by Ireland a week earlier.

On Saturday, ahead of the team’s final November Test against England, SA Rugby revealed in a statement that Erasmus has met with World Rugby’s bosses this week to discuss certain issues.

“World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin, and World Rugby Director of Rugby, Phil Davies, met with South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus on Thursday and held positive discussions regarding recent events and match official communications in general,” said the statement.

“Views were exchanged resulting in a better understanding of the respective positions.

“There was agreement that further dialogue was needed in terms of enhancing the process that operates between teams and match officials to ensure all can play their part in creating great spectacles and avoid frustration but in a way that underpins the respect for match officials, coaches and players.

“Further dialogue will continue after today’s [Saturday’s] final Springbok Test of the year.”

Before this latest ban, the former Springbok flank had only just returned from a stadium ban following a World Rugby suspension for his infamous hour-long video criticising referee Nic Berry’s performance in the first Test between the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions last year.

In a response on Twitter, Erasmus posted: “Thank you WR and lets move on!!.”

Thank you WR and lets move on !! pic.twitter.com/gCCflGfF4b

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 26, 2022