Rassie withdraws appeal and apologises to Berry

NEWS: SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus will no longer lodge an appeal against the sanctions imposed by the Judicial Committee after their misconduct hearing.

Last week, Director of Rugby Erasmus was found guilty of misconduct for his hour-long video critique of match officials, particularly Australian referee Nic Berry, after the first Test in the British & Irish Lions series, which the Boks lost.

Erasmus, who coached the Springboks to the 2019 Rugby World Cup title, was banned from all rugby activity for two months.

He’s also suspended from all match-day activities, including coaching and media engagements, until September 30, 2022. SA Rugby was fined £20 000 (ZAR 418 000).

“SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus wish to apologise to the match officials appointed to the first Test of the Springboks’ Series against the British & Irish Lions,” said SA Rugby via media release.

“We also confirm that SA Rugby and Erasmus have advised World Rugby that they withdraw their Notice of Appeal and will not lodge an appeal against the sanctions imposed by the Judicial Committee.

“This has been a highly stressful and charged environment with unusual pressures placed on all concerned and we have no wish to prolong that experience for anyone.

‘We have drawn a line under the incident and only wish to look forward. We will respect the outcomes of the hearing, allowing our national teams and rugby operations to plan with clarity for the coming months.”

In response, World Rugby commented: “World Rugby welcomes the public apology from SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus to the match officials involved in the first Test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions this year and the matter is closed.”