Rassie Erasmus. (Photo by Clement Mahoudeau/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
- Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield says SA Rugby should take a strong stance on the matter involving director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.
- Erasmus has been slapped with a two-game ban by World Rugby after highlighting refereeing errors on social media.
- Matfield believes rugby should dominate the headlines and believes World Rugby’s decision to ban Erasmus was justified.
in the city of the sun
Former Springbok Captain Victor Matfield He says South Africa Rugby must take a stand: either against or for rassie erasmus after receiving a new ban from World Rugby.
Erasmus, SA Rugby’s director of rugby, was handed a two-match ban last week after pointing out questionable officiating in the Springboks’ losses against Ireland and France.
The 2019 World Cup-winning Springbok manager was released from a two-month suspension earlier this year but took to Twitter to question inconsistencies in refereeing and refereeing in Dublin and Marseille.
Matfield, who took part in the inaugural Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at Lost City Golf Course in Sun City, believes the two-match ban on Erasmus does not paint the best image for South African rugby today.
“I think so, we’re in a position where he’s our director of rugby and he’s the face of SA Rugby. He’s been hit on the fingers twice by the IRB (World Rugby) and SA Rugby isn’t saying anything.” Matfield told News24 at the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational in Sun City.
“Either SA Rugby needs to be with him and say they will back him 100 per cent or someone from SA Rugby needs to talk to [him] and make him stop what he’s doing.
“SA Rugby have to decide what they should do but it doesn’t look good in the world for SA Rugby and it doesn’t help with the referees, we’ll probably make worse decisions every week.”
READ | Local rugby coaches fed up with Rassie referees’ tirades: report
SA Rugby and the Springboks have been in the news in recent months, from Erasmus’ Twitter exploits to Elton Jantjies’ cheating, as well as Jurie Roux’s long-running legal battle with Stellenbosch University.
Matfield insists that rugby must be the sole focus for SA Rugby as the Springboks look to defend their World Cup title in France next year.
“My thoughts are that it should always be about rugby. Yes, we want to see our Springbok players in the masses, but they need to perform. As long as they perform on the pitch, we can’t say anything and I think that’s something we need to focus on.” Matfield said.
“Normally you need a good culture off the pitch to help reflect that on the pitch. But that’s something they need to prioritize and focus on.”
The Springboks face England in their final end-of-year test at Twickenham on Saturday (7:30pm SA).
