Rassie Erasmus suspended, SA Rugby heavily fined by World Rugby after controversial “Rassie Video”

After months of speculation, World Rugby on Wednesday night (November 17) finally announced their findings and consequent sanctions in the controversial matter surrounding the so-called “Rassie Video” that leaked and went “viral” shortly after the first Test between the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions.

In the video, which Erasmus made after the match referee, Nic Berry, was not available to discuss the Springbok camp’s questions about his handling of the first Test against the British and Irish Lions, Erasmus pointed out 26 questionable decisions or unpunished offenses during the match.

Erasmus also accused Berry of not showing the same respect to South Africa’s captain Siya Kolisi as to Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones. The British and Irish Lions won the first test 21-17, but after that South Africa clinched the series with victories in the second (27-9) and third Tests (19-16).

Erasmus meanwhile revealed that he was not the one who leaked the video and that he only sent it to Berry and the referees’ panel of World Rugby. It was later alleged that the video was tracked on social media by IT experts and that it was found to have been leaked via Australia. Berry happens to be an Aussie.

Although the controversial video went viral in the week following the first test during the last week of July this year, World Rugby delayed their investigation and subsequent disciplinary hearing until the last weekend of October.

Many questions are also being asked about the timing of the announcement of their finding and punishment, as South Africa will play England in their last Test match of the year this coming Saturday.

Meanwhile, SA Rugby has confirmed in a very brief statement that it will definitely appeal against the findings and sanctions.

World Rugby’s statement following their findings, reads as follows:

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE INDEPENDENT MISCONDUCT COMMITTEE

 An independent misconduct committee has found that behaviour displayed by SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus towards match officials during this year’s test series between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions constituted misconduct. The committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan QC, together with Nigel Hampton QC and Judge Mike Mika (both New Zealand). Six charges were brought by World Rugby against Rassie Erasmus for 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.

Having considered all the evidence, including oral evidence from the match officials, Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby, World Rugby, and submissions from the parties the committee found all six charges against Mr Erasmus proved.   Two charges were brought by World Rugby against SA Rugby in accordance with World Rugby Regulation 18 and the World Rugby Code of Conduct. 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.

Having considered all the evidence, including oral evidence from the match officials, Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby, World Rugby, and submissions from the parties, the committee found the first charge against SA Rugby proved. Having considered submissions on behalf of both parties in respect of sanction, the independent committee decided on the following: Rassie Erasmus

• Suspension with immediate effect from all rugby activities for two months
• Suspension from all match-day activities (including coaching, contact with match officials, and media engagement) with immediate effect until 30 September, 2022
• A warning as to his future conduct and an apology to the relevant match officials.

SA Rugby

• A fine of £20,000
• A warning as to future conduct and an apology to the relevant match officials

The parties have seven days to appeal from receipt of the full written decision. 

Following this, SA Rugby responded with the following statement: Wednesday, 17 November 2021 Joint statement from SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus have noted the decision of World Rugby’s judicial committee. Both parties confirmed they will exercise their rights to appeal the verdicts. Neither party will make any further comment until the process is complete.

➡️ Joint statement from SA Rugby and Rassie Erasmus: https://t.co/rmnVnVGwCH

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 17, 2021