Rassie shares message to fans: Thanks for the support!

Last week World Rugby came down hard on both SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus in its verdict following their two independent misconduct hearings.

READ | FULL 80-PAGE RASSIE ERASMUS MISCONDUCT HEARING VERDICT

As part of the judgement after World Rugby issued a charge of misconduct, Erasmus was suspended with immediate effect from all rugby activities for two months.

In addition, he was suspended from all match-day activities (including coaching, contact with match officials, and media engagement) until 30 September 2022.

Erasmus has already begun serving his double suspension, taking to Twitter on the eve of the Boks’ final Test of the year against England, to suggest the two months away from the game may not be “as bad as feared”.

READ | RASSUE ERASMUS TAKES SUBTLE DIG AT WORLD RUGBY IN LATEST TWEET!

After the clash, which saw England claim a last-gasp win, Rassie also toasted the home side with a drink in hand: “Congrats England,” he tweeted while taking a sip.

As the director of rugby now heads into an enforced break from the game, he shared another message on social media to thank those who had supported him and the team this year.

“Thanks to those who supported the @springboks during a real tough 2021 season (for all teams involved) Also on a personal level thanks for the support !! (Strongs MJ!)”

Thanks to those who supported the @springboks during a real tough 2021 season (for all teams involved) Also on a personal level thanks for the support !! ( Strongs MJ 🇿🇦)

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 22, 2021

Reminder of the World Rugby ruling against Rassie

Six charges were brought by World Rugby against Rassie Erasmus for various breaches of World Rugby Regulation 18 and World Rugby’s Code of Conduct. The charges in summary were that Mr Erasmus:

1. threatened a match official that unless a requested meeting took place, he would publish footage containing clips criticising the match official’s performance and then making good on that threat; published or permitted to be published the Erasmus Video containing numerous comments that were either abusive, insulting and/or offensive to match officials;
2. attacked, disparaged and/or denigrated the game and the match officials;
3. did not accept or observe the authority and decisions of match officials;
4. published or caused to be published criticism of the manner in which a match official handled a match;
5. engaged in conduct or activity that may impair public confidence in the integrity and good character of match official(s); and
6. brought the game into disrepute when he published or caused to be published the Erasmus Video.

Having considered all the evidence, including oral evidence from the match officials, Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby, World Rugby, and submissions from the parties the committee found all six charges against Mr Erasmus proved.  

Two charges were brought by World Rugby against SA Rugby in accordance with World Rugby Regulation 18 and the World Rugby Code of Conduct. In summary, the charges were that SA Rugby:

1. did not ensure that Rassie Erasmus complied with the World Rugby Code of Conduct and/or permitted Mr Erasmus to commit acts of misconduct; and/or did not publicly correct any comments or publications by or on behalf of Mr Erasmus that amounted to misconduct; and
2. permitted and/or did not prevent Siya Kolisi and Mzwandile Stick to make comments at a press conference on 30 July, 2021 that were not disciplined or sporting and adversely affected the game of rugby; and/or did not publicly correct any such comments so as adversely affected the game of rugby.

Having considered all the evidence, including oral evidence from the match officials, Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby, World Rugby, and submissions from the parties, the committee found the first charge against SA Rugby proved.

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