Rassie case: Why appeal was abandoned

SA Rugby and its Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus late last week sensationally withdrew their notices of appeal against the misconduct decision and sanction issued by a World Rugby independent misconduct committee.

READ | RASSIE TAKES TO TWITTER AGAIN… THIS TIME IN VERNACULAR

According to Rapport, the tension the case had placed on Erasmus and his family was a key factor in withdrawing the appeal, opting rather to allow the matter to be closed.

Other factors are that Erasmus did not have to apologise personally to referee Nic Berry, who was at the centre of the officiating controversy following the first Test against the British & Irish Lions.

Erasmus’ two-month ban from all rugby also coincides with SA Rugby closing their offices for the festive season, while the Erasmus camp would have had no control over who World Rugby appointed as their appeal committee.

Ultimately, SA Rugby will take it as a win that they were able to get World Rugby’s far more severe recommendation of a 24-Test ban cut in half, and Erasmus will now concede to serving out the double ban.

After seeing out the two-month suspension, Erasmus will only be banned from all match-day activities until 30 September 2022, but can contribute in all the build-up plans and preparation.

England coach not a fan of Rassie video

Meanwhile, Eddie Jones has said he could have made a Rassie Erasmus-style video after England’s Six Nations defeat by Wales at the beginning of the year, but thought it would do longer-term damage to the sport.

“I could have made a long video of complaint like Rassie Erasmus did,” Jones wrote in his book Leadership. “In terms of leadership all international coaches could emulate Rassie’s stunt, but would that benefit the game? We would put more pressure on the officials and, as we saw, the refereeing got worse as the Lions series went on, to the benefit of South Africa.

“Rassie might feel his tactics were justified but you need to take a wider view for the sake of rugby. If I had gone down the Rassie Erasmus route we would have got so much more leeway from referees in the next couple of games because they would have felt under extreme pressure. But that’s not how I want the game to be run.”