Springboks Rassie Erasmus on his feud with World Rugby.

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Getty Images.

Rassie to host ‘lekka chat’ with fans TONIGHT: How to watch!

SA director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has confirmed he will be hoping to host a ‘chat’ with supporters on Wednesday evening.

Springboks Rassie Erasmus on his feud with World Rugby.

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Getty Images.

Earlier this month, World Rugby dramatically issued Rassie Erasmus with a ban on all match-day activities for two Tests as a result of recent social media posts, which were deemed to be critical of officials. However, that ban has now come to an end after last Saturday’s clash between South Africa and England in London.

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Interestingly, Erasmus has now posted a teaser to a Vimeo “15 minute lekka chat”, which is scheduled for Wednesday evening.

You can click here to be part of the chat or follow the links from Rassie’s Twitter posts below:

What has become clear in recent days is that Rassie Erasmus has made peace with World Rugby, and he even suggested it’s time to move on after a ‘constructive’ meeting.

Last week, World Rugby had already reiterated the importance of communication going forward after stating that Erasmus had “crossed a line”.

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In a statement released on Saturday, though, it was stated that World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin, and World Rugby Director of Rugby, Phil Davies, met with Erasmus on Thursday and held positive discussions regarding recent events and match official communications in general. 

In the latest interesting twist, Sunday newspaper Rapport has suggested that discussions were less about his criticism of officiating, but rather focused on how he can actually help World Rugby improve referee and TMO performance.

The article further suggests that World Rugby conceded that in the past year, 12 decisions by the television referee were incorrect, at the expense of the Boks, but it’s also led to these constructive discussions.

“The whole thing is now no longer sensationalism and drama, but a point of discussion to find solutions,” a source is quoted as saying. “They were able to find a middle ground to improve the processes going forward.”

Erasmus took to Twitter this weekend to already suggest that the matter was now closed.

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World Rugby chief executive officer Alan Gilpin recently sought to further clear the air even though he admitted Erasmus “doesn’t agree” with his punishment. 

“What is important is we are able to move forward in a dialogue with them (SA Rugby),” Gilpin told the BBC. “Let’s have a discussion about why certain behaviours are appropriate or inappropriate. If coaches or other people involved in South African rugby or anywhere else don’t think the protocols are working, let’s talk about that.

“This is about every referee who is, on a Sunday morning, refereeing kids’ rugby anywhere in the world, having permission to do the job properly, and not having every parent on the touchline posting videos on social media,” Gilpin said.

“That’s the really important thing in terms of the integrity of the game. The referees will be the first to tell you they welcome feedback. They are really up for those discussions with coaches.

“We have to make sure we protect them in that sense, but our view, and he may not agree, is that he has crossed the line. For us, it is really important we reinforce where those lines are, for everybody to see.”

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