Fans at home see Erasmus as a brave knight, charging into dragon fire to preserve the dignity of his people
The Springboks are in need of a new water carrier for Saturday’s match at Twickenham. Responsibilities include marshalling the defence, identifying weaknesses in the opposition’s line and relaying important information from the coach’s box. Oh, and hydrating the players on the field.
The incumbent, Rassie Erasmus, who moonlights as the director of rugby, has been banned from all rugby activities for two months and suspended from all match‑day activities until September next year. His punishment, meted out by World Rugby for his 62-minute video in which he criticised in detail the refereeing performance of Nic Berry in the first Test of the British & Irish Lions tour, also carries a warning “as to his future conduct”. Erasmus has been instructed to apologise to the relevant match officials, as has SA Rugby, which must now pay a £20,000 fine.
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