adminRassie Erasmus used his infamous Twitter account to bite back at former Springbok coach Nick Mallett after the latter’s comments on the popular rugby show, Final Whistle, last Sunday.
The SA Rugby director of rugby, who recently copped a two-match Test ban by World Rugby for criticising officiating during last year’s Springbok end-year tour, took exception to Mallett’s comments on the SuperSport weekly review and analysis programme.
Show host and former Bok hooker Owen Nkumane posed a question to the panel, which included Swys de Bruin and Hanyani Shimange, about whether something ought to be done regarding SA’s coaching systems and pipeline.
“We need something done about coaching in South Africa, streamline it somehow and to know what my pathway is if I want to become a coach. The IQ is there in South Africa; we just need to bring it together and whatever comes through, we pass on to the kids,” said Nkumane.
“That’s part of the director of rugby’s job; that’s part of Rassie’s job,” Mallett responded.
“His job is to bring coaches through, bring referees through. It’s a very big job he’s got. He shouldn’t be on social media talking about the Springboks.
“He should be doing his job properly.”
The 2019 World Cup-winning Springbok coach, Erasmus, released a scathing voice note that was evidently directed at Mallett, saying his predecessor did not know what the director of rugby role entailed.
“I struggled to sleep because I was really upset about your comments last week on Final Whistle,” said Erasmus.
“No matter what it is, it’s just the things that you said without any substance behind it. Nick, I’m just going to tell you straight up, you don’t know what a rugby director is or what his job is.
“Obviously, I’m not appointing coaches. Go and read the thing, I have no authority in appointing coaches.
“The second thing is, I do have a programme running called ‘the fast-tracking of elite black players’, who haven’t had the opportunity in Super Rugby and the URC and we’re fast-tracking them. We’ve got a sponsor for that and we’re proud of that programme.”
Erasmus continued in the more than two-minute rant, saying he “loved” Mallett but he mustn’t “talk sh*t to the people”. He also defended his incessant tweeting about the Springboks, especially regarding officiating.
“When you start saying things like, I must get the referees right and stop tweeting (about) the Springboks … the Springboks are the most important thing, that’s my first priority, and I will do anything to make the Springboks win,” said Erasmus.
“So, please don’t stop me at anything there. You said I must bring the referees through; yes, we bring referees through but it has to be accepted by World Rugby.
“If you can help in any way there, it would be really great for you to help us.
“Nick, I’m not going to fight with you in any way. I’m just saying, between what’s happening on the ground and what you guys are showing on your show on SuperSport, somewhere there’s the truth there.
“I would suggest (that you) hang close to that truth because currently, you are far away from that truth and you’re missing the ball with quite a distance.
“Obviously, you know me well. I love you and I thought you’re a guy with big (inaudible term) but, unfortunately my man, I will have to rectify you and send you some stats and get this (voice note) out there.
“You can’t talk this sh*t to the people.” – News24.com.
Online Reporter