World Rugby ban: Rassie reveals what hit him the hardest

SPOTLIGHT: In his latest social media post, Rassie Erasmus has opened up on what he misses the most from Test rugby.

South Africa’s Director of Rugby is fast approaching the end of the second portion of his ban which he received from World Rugby in November last year

To jog the memory, he was found guilty of misconduct by an independent committee for his hour-long video critique of match officials, particularly Australian referee Nic Berry, after the first Test in the British & Irish Lions series.

Rassie was banned from all rugby activity for two months and he is currently still serving his matchday ban which runs until September 30.

And on Sunday, the 49-year-old shared some of his feelings with his fans.

“To be honest this is what hit me the hardest from the world rugby ban!! I miss the crowds and the unity I see on television when our people sing the Anthem,” Erasmus said in a Twitter post.

To be honest this is what hit me the hardest from the world rugby ban!! I miss the crowds and the unity I see on television when our people sing the Anthem 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/UPWcZJfF5r

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 23, 2022

Earlier this year in March, Erasmus revealed the impact the whole saga had on his life in an interview with the Daily Mail.

“People think I leaked that video. I didn’t,” Erasmus told the Daily Mail at the time.

“Who leaks something like that? Why would I screw up my whole career to do that? I’ve got twin girls, 18 years old, who are at school and they hear other parents telling them how their dad had f***** it all up.

“My mum is at an old-age home and they’re showing her articles saying, ‘Rassie’s lost it, he’s got depression, he’s drunk.’

“They think those things because they are indoctrinated that I leaked that video. I want to tell the world that, swearing on my youngest child’s life, I did not leak that video.

“Many people have already made up their mind. How do you change people’s perception when World Rugby has found me guilty and banned me for 12 months?

“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. I just want them to know what really happened.”