Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby to Face Misconduct Hearing

Following World Rugby’s announcement that Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby will face a misconduct hearing, the organisation said in a statement that it has “noted the charges brought by World Rugby and will respond through the designated channels”. SA Rugby said it will issue no further comment until the process is complete.

While the Springboks are celebrating their Test Series equaliser on Saturday, World Rugby announced last night that SA Rugby and its director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, will face a misconduct hearing after his hour-long criticism of match officials in a video on YouTube.

World Rugby said in a statement on Monday evening:

“South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby will face an independent misconduct hearing for comments regarding match official performance during the test series between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions.

“Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game. World Rugby condemns any public criticism of their selection, performance or integrity which undermines their role, the well-established and trust-based coach-officials feedback process, and more importantly, the values that are at the heart of the sport.”

World Rugby said that having “conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials.”

However it is only the South Africans that will face the disciplinary panel because Erasmus’ video breached the rules.

World Rugby said: “… the extensive and direct nature of the comments made by Rassie Erasmus within a video address, in particular, meets the threshold to be considered a breach of World Rugby Regulation 18 (Misconduct and Code of Conduct) and will now be considered by an independent disciplinary panel. The date and panel will be confirmed in due course.”

World Rugby says it has reminded the management of both teams of the importance of this area and their obligations regarding the values of the sport. In order to protect the integrity of the sport and its values, World Rugby says it will also undertake a review of its Code of Conduct relating to incidents of this nature with a view to strengthening scope, rules and sanctions.

“As with any test series, South Africa versus the British and Irish Lions is a showcase of rugby that generates great excitement and interest, even more so at this challenging time for sport and society. It is an opportunity for both teams and their management to set a positive example and concentrate on the spectacle and a wonderful example of rugby and its values at their best,” said World Rugby.

Erasmus is expected to attend the third test.