Rassie Erasmus

Rassie Erasmus’ 60-day ban from all rugby-related activities ends on Saturday, signalling a return to work for SA Rugby’s director of rugby. Photo: Backpagepix

WATCH | New hilarious Rassie Erasmus video goes viral!

Rassie Erasmus says he is ‘living every day like a Friday’ as he continues to serve his two-month World Rugby ban.

Rassie Erasmus

Rassie Erasmus’ 60-day ban from all rugby-related activities ends on Saturday, signalling a return to work for SA Rugby’s director of rugby. Photo: Backpagepix

Rassie Erasmus is currently serving a double suspension that was handed down by World Rugby in relation to his 62-minute video that led to disciplinary action after he criticised the officials involved in the first British & Irish Lions Test.

READ | WORLD RUGBY TO REVIEW ROLE OF ‘WATER CARRIERS’

Erasmus has continued to use social media to show what he’s been up to during this time off, and on Wednesday he added to his collection.

In another clearly tongue-in-cheek video, he counts down the days left in his two-month suspension from all rugby-related activities, and reiterates that he is “starting to feel really positive” about it.

READ | SPRINGBOK LEGEND TO COACH SHARKS IN CURRIE CUP

“Day 29 of the 60-day ban,” Erasmus says in the video.

“Every day is like a Friday. it’s a terrible ban, eh. Here’s to the weekend. 

“We’ll handle every day like a Friday and enjoy it and work hard on our discipline and get it right.”

Recently, Erasmus also posted a video of him seemingly taking a long sip of a Castle Lite, with the following caption in Xhosa: “Aish leBan indiza entloko,kuzobanzima. Mara kuzolunga!!!”

The translation to English reads as follows: “Eish this ban is getting to my head, it’s hard but it’s gonna be alright”

Later on, Erasmus made another social media post, along with a recording of two shooters, this time with the tweet in Tsonga reading as such: “Coach Rennie leyi ya titimela naswona yi yimele wena.”

The English translation is: “Coach Rennie, this one (drink) is very cold and it’s waiting for you.”

This appeared to be in reference to the outburst from Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who lambasted the “incredibly disappointing” officiating performance against Wales during the end-of-year Tests, calling for more accountability after his side suffered a narrow defeat.

Rennie, did not hold back in his criticism of the officiating, notably by South African television match official (TMO) Marius Jonker, particularly outlining two key moments: a yellow card for Wallaby fullback Kurtley Beale for a deliberate knock-on and Nick Tompkins not being called back after knocking down a ball and sprinting away for a Wales try.

The comments come at a time when a renewed focus has been placed on officiating errors, although in this instance Rennie appears to have not faced any disciplinary backlash from World Rugby over his comments.

“I make a real point not to criticise referees,” Rennie said. “But our boys deserve better than that.

“There were lots of decisions today. I felt they had a massive bearing on the game. I’m incredibly disappointed with the officiating.”

WATCH | ‘REFEREES NEED TO BE SANCTIONED’

Timeline to recap how Rassie Erasmus case unfolded:

Thursday, 22 July – World Rugby appoints Marius Jonker as TMO for the Test series after Brendon Pickerill is forced to withdraw because of Covid-19 disruption.

Friday, 23 July – One day before the first Test, reports emerge simultaneously in all major British & Irish news outlets that Gatland is ‘furious’ about Jonker’s appointment.

Saturday, 24 July – First Test. A number of controversial refereeing decisions and inconsistencies go against the Springboks. Siya Kolisi later admits he felt disrespected by referee Nic Berry.

Sunday, 25 July – Springbok management attempt to contact World Rugby and Nic Berry for clarity. WR doesn’t respond, while Erasmus later states that Nic Berry was “asleep” at the time he tried to get hold of him the Sunday after the first Test.

Monday, 26 July – The new training week starts for the Springboks but World Rugby has yet to provide any feedback from Saturday’s game.

Tuesday, 27 July – With only three on-field training sessions remaining before the second Test, World Rugby provides its feedback from the first Test. Erasmus makes the now infamous video in response to what he deemed to be insufficient clarity.

Thursday, 29 July – Rassie Erasmus’ video to World Rugby is leaked online.

Saturday, 31 July – Second Test. The Springboks bounce back with a convincing victory in an ill-spirited affair with plenty of off-the-ball incidents.

Monday, 2 August – World Rugby confirms that both Erasmus and SA Rugby will face a disciplinary hearing as a result of the leaked video.

Saturday, 7 August – Third Test. Springboks seal the series with a 19-16 victory in the final Test.

Tuesday, 24 August – Erasmus’ disciplinary hearing commences. His lawyers maintain that he did not leak the video.

Thursday, 26 August – Springboks release a media statement saying that Erasmus would not be travelling with the side to Australia for the Rugby Championship to allow the players to remain focused.

Saturday, 6 November – With the case dragging on, Erasmus appears in the coaches box as the Boks fight back to claim a win over Wales in the opening game of the end-of-year tour.

Saturday, 13 November – Rassie returns to his role as a water carrier for the game against Scotland, with some criticising him for his sideline ‘coaching’.

Wednesday, 17 November – Erasmus receives a double suspension from World Rugby, with SA Rugby stating they will appeal the verdict.

Thursday, 25 November – SA Rugby and Erasmus withdraw their appeal, and apologise publicly to the officials. The matter is considered closed.

READ | FULL 80-PAGE RASSIE ERASMUS MISCONDUCT HEARING VERDICT