Rassie Erasmus and South African Rugby have apologised to the officials from the first Lions Test and withdrawn their appeals against the sanctions imposed on them.
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was banned from all rugby for two months and from involvement with the Springboks on match days for a year.
The 49-year-old was punished for an hour-long video criticising the refereeing of Australia’s Nic Berry in July’s first Test defeat to the Lions.
World Rugby found the video contained “multiple abusive and insulting comments and attacks on the officials” and described his offences as “especially serious and egregious”.
In addition to his bans, Erasmus and the South African Rugby Union were both required to issue full public apologies to the match officials within a fortnight.
Last week, they confirmed they would appeal against the verdicts from World Rugby.
But now they have performed a remarkable U-turn.
The full statement reads: “SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus wish to apologise to the match officials appointed to the first Test of the Springboks’ Series against the British & Irish Lions.
“We also confirm that SA Rugby and Erasmus have advised World Rugby that they withdraw their Notice of Appeal and will not lodge an appeal against the sanctions imposed by the Judicial Committee.
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“This has been a highly stressful and charged environment with unusual pressures placed on all concerned and we have no wish to prolong that experience for anyone.
“We have drawn a line under the incident and only wish to look forward. We will respect the outcomes of the hearing, allowing our national teams and rugby operations to plan with clarity for the coming months.”
In a separate statement, World Rugby said: “World Rugby welcomes the public apology from SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus to the match officials involved in the first test between South Africa and the British & Irish Lions this year and the matter is closed.”
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