South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. Photo: SA Rugby website
Did World Rugby just give the Springboks extra motivation to smash England?
Thanks to World Rugby’s ruling, the Springboks have received an extra shot in the arm to go out and smash England at Twickenham on Saturday.
South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. Photo: SA Rugby website
Not that they would’ve needed any motivating to beat arch-enemies England in their final Test of 2021, but the Springboks have just received an extra shot in the arm to go out and smash their opponents at Twickenham on Saturday, 20 November.
READ | FULL 80-PAGE RASSIE ERASMUS MISCONDUCT HEARING VERDICT
This comes after World Rugby came down like a ton of bricks on both SA Rugby and its director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, in a sensational verdict following their two independent misconduct hearings.
READ | WORLD RUGBY RULING STATES RASSIE ERASMUS ‘THREATENED’ REFEREE
Throw in the fact SA Rugby are already smarting after the Springboks were overlooked this week for the World Rugby Player of the Year award AND the fact Saturday’s match is the first time the two sides will do battle since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final – and it’s clear why things could get ugly this weekend!
READ | SPRINGBOKS SNUBBED IN WORLD RUGBY’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
In addition, the Springboks will be playing with former team-mate Jannie du Plessis in mind after the tragic news of the drowning of the 70-Test cap front-rower’s young son in the family swimming pool on Tuesday night.
READ | WHO IS JANNIE DU PLESSIS? 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE SPRINGBOK PROP
In their ruling, World Rugby dished out a heavy punishment to Erasmus following the release of his 62-minute video in which he highlighted – in his opinion – errors made by the governing body’s match officials.
World Rugby handed him an immediate two-month suspension from from all rugby activities.
READ | SPRINGBOKS V ENGLAND: A QUICK HISTORY LESSON!
In addition, Erasmus has been suspended from all match-day activities (including coaching, contact with match officials, and media engagement) with immediate effect until 30 September, 2022.
Meanwhile, SA Rugby has been fined R400 000 and has to, along with Erasmus, apologise to the relevant match officials.
READ | SA RUGBY HANDED R400 000 FINE
Predictably both SA Rugby and Erasmus confirmed they would be appealing the verdict.
READ | RASSIE, SA RUGBY TO APPEAL WORLD RUGBY VERDICT
Kick-off at Twickenham on Saturday is at 17:15 (SA time).
You are NOT going to want to miss this one!
