Rugby: South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus banned again by World Rugby

Rassie Erasmus. Photo / Photosport

Springboks official Rassie Erasmus has been suspended again by World Rugby for his unrelenting hostility toward match officials.

World Rugby suspended South Africa’s director of rugby from any involvement in the Springboks’ matchday against Italy in Genoa this weekend and against England at Twickenham next week.

The ban included engagement with media and social media in relation to match officials.

The move followed a review of Erasmus’ critical social media posts following South Africa’s narrow losses to Ireland and France in the past fortnight during the ongoing tour of Europe.

“Match officials are the backbone of the sport and without them there is no game,” World Rugby said in a statement.

“World Rugby condemns any public criticism of match official selection, performance or integrity, which undermines their role, the trust-based coach/match officials feedback process, and the values of integrity, respect, solidarity and discipline that are at the heart of the sport.

“The behaviour of coaching staff and match officials are widely observed by fans, media and participants at every level, and such behaviours affect how the values are applied across the game.”

Erasmus only just finished a suspension at the end of September for attacking match officials on social media when the British and Irish Lions toured South Africa last year.

He was suspended from all rugby for two months and banned from matchday activity with the Boks for 10 months to Sept. 30.