Rassie hopes to pick Dyantyi again

Rassie Erasmus is open to selecting Aphiwe Dyantyi for the Springboks after the winger completes his long-awaited comeback in August.

Dyantyi’s move to the Sharks was officially confirmed on Tuesday as the speedster takes a huge step in his return to professional rugby, following a four-year suspension for the use of banned substances.

The 28-year-old played all of his 13 tests in 2018 under Erasmus, scoring six tries, and speaking during a Bok media conference in Pretoria yesterday, SA’s director of rugby told reporters: “I believe in second chances.

“If there’s a ban and that’s what the disciplinary decided, he’s served his ban and it must have been tough on him.

“I really hope that he comes back with a bang and he does really well for the Sharks, and I hope we can one day pick him for the Springboks again.”

Erasmus added: “I know there are a lot of people who don’t feel the same way, but that’s why there was a time period with the ban.

“Look, I’m not judging him, but if you look at the penalty he paid, four years is not worth it and four years is long. It would be nonsensical for a player, especially in this day in age, to do that because you just can’t get away with it.

“There are at least four to five players who are tested every day, especially over the past two years, at every camp.

“There’s not a day that goes by without a player being tested and I don’t think you need something like that at the highest level.”