
Rassie side-steps World Rugby
Rassie Erasmus is considering changing his job title to work around World Rugby’s expected new rules proposing he be barred from being the Springboks’ water-carrier.
Rassie Erasmus is considering changing his job title to work around World Rugby’s expected new rules proposing he be barred from being the Springboks’ water-carrier.
The Springboks will feature in the premier division of a biennial mini World Cup, according to reports that World Rugby is planning to introduce a global competition in 2026.
The Springboks will be without a trio of key players, including scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, when they take on Wales in a three-Test series on home soil in July.
The national junior rugby programme will resume after Easter with the intake of 36 promising players who will attend the SA Rugby Academy, based in Stellenbosch.
SA Rugby has reportedly sent a request to the Japan Rugby Union for their clubs to release seven Springboks for the 26 November Test against England at Twickenham.
The Springboks will get their preparations for a testing international season under way on Sunday as head coach Jacques Nienaber and his management team host the first of two alignment camps.
Rassie Erasmus has urged South African rugby unions to stop contracting “weak” players who don’t have a future in the pro ranks.
The Springboks’ No 1 spot in the world is under threat from France, after Les Bleus replaced the All Blacks in second place behind South Africa in World Rugby’s official standings.
Rassie Erasmus will reportedly stay with SA Rugby until at least after the 2023 World Cup in France, but his long-term future remains up in the air amid links with the England coaching job.
Rassie Erasmus and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi are among the six nominees from rugby in seven categories of the 15th annual SA Sport Awards announced this past Saturday.