Rassie and SA Rugby to appeal bans

UPDATE: South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby wasted no time to respond to World Rugby’s long-awaited verdict.

World Rugby announced on Wednesday that an independent committee has found Erasmus guilty of misconduct towards match officials during the series between the Springboks and British & Irish Lions.

Erasmus has been found guilty on all six charges brought by the game’s governing body for various breaches of World Rugby regulation 18 and World Rugby’s code of conduct.

#BREAKING! Rassie Erasmus was found guilty of misconduct!#rugby #news @Springboks https://t.co/sWmPG2Suiq

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 17, 2021

Erasmus has been suspended with immediate effect from all rugby activities for two months and suspended from all match-day activities (including coaching, contact with match officials, and media engagement) with immediate effect until 30 September 2022.

Erasmus has also been handed a warning as to his future conduct and an apology to the relevant match officials.

Meanwhile, SA Rugby was found guilty on two charges related to Erasmus video and comments made by Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick on July 30.

SA Rugby has been handed a fine of £20,000 and a warning as to future conduct and an apology to the relevant match officials.

In a joint statement, Erasmus and SA Rugby revealed they will appeal the verdicts.

“SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus have noted the decision of World Rugby’s judicial committee,” the official statement read.

“Both parties confirmed they will exercise their rights to appeal the verdicts.

“Neither party will make any further comment until the process is complete,”