SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus withdraw appeal and apologise

SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus have informed the independent misconduct committee and World Rugby that they have both withdrawn their notices of appeal to the misconduct decision and sanction issued by the independent disciplinary committee on 11 November 2021.

Erasmus was found guilty on the six charges brought by World Rugby  various breaches of World Rugby Regulation 18 and World Rugby’s Code of Conduct. The charges, in summary, were that Mr Erasmus:

1. threatened a match official that unless a requested meeting took place, he would publish footage containing clips criticising the match official’s performance and then making good on that threat; published or permitted to be published the Erasmus Video containing numerous comments that were either abusive, insulting and/or offensive to match officials;
2. attacked, disparaged and/or denigrated the game and the match officials;
3. did not accept or observe the authority and decisions of match officials;
4. published or caused to be published criticism of the manner in which a match official handled a match;
5. engaged in conduct or activity that may impair public confidence in the integrity and good character of match official(s); and
6. brought the game into disrepute when he published or caused to be published the Erasmus Video.

Meanwhile, SA Rugby was found guilty on two charges brought by World Rugby. In summary, the charges were that SA Rugby:

1. did not ensure that Rassie Erasmus complied with the World Rugby Code of Conduct and/or permitted Mr Erasmus to commit acts of misconduct; and/or did not publicly correct any comments or publications by or on behalf of Mr Erasmus that amounted to misconduct; and
2. permitted and/or did not prevent Siya Kolisi and Mzwandile Stick to make comments at a press conference on 30 July, 2021 that were not disciplined or sporting and adversely affected the game of rugby; and/or did not publicly correct any such comments so as adversely affected the game of rugby.

SA Rugby released the following statement confirming the withdrawal of their appeal and apology:

'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.

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.'

World Rugby released a statement welcoming the public apology from SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus to the match officials involved in the first test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions this year and said that the matter is closed.