South Africa director Rassie Erasmus has been an integral part of the country’s rugby success in recent years, but he was not with the squad when they flew to Australia on Thursday.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber told reporters the outspoken figurehead would remain in South Africa for the time being as he wants to keep concentration fixed upon the Rugby Championship.
Erasmus, 48, has been a frequent fixture in rugby headlines over the last couple of months, having drawn attention for numerous incidents during this summer’s British and Irish Lions series.
The Springboks chief is currently the subject of a World Rugby hearing in relation to comments he made about the officials during that series, for which he could face ‘severe punishment’.
Nienaber didn’t reference the disciplinary hearing when he explained why Erasmus was staying behind, although the coach suggested he may link up with the squad at a later date.
Erasmus’ long-time colleague told reporters: “Rassie has decided to remain in South Africa for now to allow the focus around the team to remain on the Rugby Championship and the team itself so that they can perform to the best of their ability on the field.
"He will continue to play an active role in our team and coaches meetings throughout the tour, and schedule permitting, he may join us later on."
The Rugby Championship will resume on Sunday, September 5, after SANZAAR confirmed Australia and New Zealand will play their rescheduled Round 2 matchup in Perth.
The tournament’s final four rounds will then be played out in Queensland, with South Africa set to resume their campaign against the Wallabies on Sunday, September 12.
With more than a fortnight to go before that fixture, it may be that Erasmus is already reunited with his team by them in the hope of further success in the southern-hemisphere competition.
The former Munster coach drew widespread scrutiny for his 62-minute-long video criticising the officials after the Springboks lost their series opener to the Lions.
Lions counterpart Warren Gatland had already critiqued Erasmus standing in as a makeshift water boy for his side, while the South African also denied claims he owns a Twitter ‘burner account’.
Provided any punishment from World Rugby doesn’t prevent him from doing so, it’s to be expected that Erasmus will indeed return to aid his team at some point this summer.
South Africa are technically Rugby Championship titleholders after they missed last year’s reformatted Tri Nations Series, though their 2019 triumph was in a condensed competition.
The Boks blitzed to dominate the southern-hemisphere contest before winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with Erasmus adding to his trophy cabinet following their Lions triumph.
South Africa lead the standings having played one game more than Australia and New Zealand, with ample time to acclimate before they’re due back in action.
The Springboks dominated to beat Argentina in back-to-back home games, but their upcoming slate in Australia should prove a lot more testing.
The reigning world champions will face the Wallabies on back-to-back weekends before ending their tournament with two titanic duels against the All Blacks, including their centenary meeting.
It’s almost inconceivable that Erasmus won’t play a part in those potential title-deciders unless he’s ordered to stay away, desperate to prolong a dominant spell for South African rugby.
