ANALYSIS
Rassie’s latest Twitter rant shows he is untouchable at SA Rugby
South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus took to his favourite social media platform to blast former Bok coach Nick Mallett this week, underlining that he remains a law unto himself.
For a man who has earned two World Rugby suspensions in the past 18 months for his social media outbursts against rugby officials, Rassie Erasmus continues to display a cavalier attitude to further possible sanctions.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Erasmus posted an angry voice note to former Bok coach Nick Mallett about the latter’s comments relating to the director of rugby role.
That was strange. Why not call Mallett, or go for coffee and chat? I’m sure they have each other’s numbers and if not, the SA Rugby media department could’ve helped Rassie find it.
Sure, Mallett made his comments in a public forum, on SuperSport’s Final Whistle show, where he is paid to give strong opinions. It doesn’t automatically condone another Twitter rant by the man at the head of South Africa’s rugby pyramid.
Nick Mallett has become the latest target of yet another Rassie Erasmus Twitter tirade. (Photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)
This latest outburst following two infamous episodes in 2021 and 2022, which earned him suspensions, shows that Erasmus is not one for learning from past mistakes. But more glaringly, it underlines that he feels he is above sanction at SA Rugby and that he remains a law unto himself.
SA Rugby have not issued any statement condoning or even supporting Erasmus’ most recent public comments. Erasmus’ bosses also didn’t comment when he took to Twitter last November after the Boks lost to Ireland and France to castigate match officials just weeks after a nine-month suspension ended. There was just silence.
Remember, Mallett is employed by SuperSport and SuperSport, through the hundreds of millions they spend on buying TV rights to Springbok and other local rugby content, are a partner of SA Rugby’s. They are SA Rugby’s most important partner, in fact.
Mallet’s very mild criticism of Erasmus clearly hit a nerve and the response was childish.
Awkward
This is an awkward situation. Even SuperSport, whose content usually steers well clear of being overly critical of Springbok and SA Rugby for the above-mentioned reasons, can through someone as forthright as Mallett, cause some offence. And Erasmus, it seems, is easily offended.
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Erasmus was stung by Mallett’s comments, which he perceived to be unfair and possibly ignorant of the reality of what’s actually happening.
Mallett asked what pathways there were for future coaches and referees and whether Erasmus’ time might be better spent on those issues instead of baiting officials on social media.
It was a strange comment from Mallett considering Erasmus had been silent on social media for several months. They were also not necessarily accurate comments either, although it’s easy to see how that perception might exist.
Most of us are not privy to SA Rugby’s inner workings on a day-to-day basis, and aspects such as producing quality coaches and referees are lengthy processes. But what Mallett remarked on was those of us on the outside see, or in this case, don’t see.
If the comments were inaccurate and unfair then Erasmus certainly had cause for some unhappiness. But he also holds an office where a few deep breaths are needed, not 4am voice notes posted for all the world to hear.
“His job is to bring coaches through and bring referees through. It’s a very big job that he has got,” Mallett, not unreasonably pointed out on the TV show.
“He shouldn’t be on social media talking about the Springboks. He should be doing his job properly.”
Erasmus, whose behaviour is worryingly becoming increasingly erratic, responded in a voice note of more than two minutes long.
Wish they will just ask for the truth first before they give ‘expert opinions’ pic.twitter.com/32dcX6m6Ng
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) February 11, 2023
“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. The second you said, 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.
“I would suggest 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 shit to the people.”
Surely Erasmus could easily have contacted SuperSport’s programme director and requested that he appears on the next episode of Final Whistle and explain exactly what a director of rugby does.
He could have taken the time to inform Mallett and the rest of the rugby-watching public about the programmes in place that are producing referees and coaches. Erasmus could have spent 20 minutes showing us stats and graphs of what is happening, because these are projects that should be lauded.
It would have the double impact of informing fans of other aspects of SA Rugby, and publicly exposing Mallett’s comments as unfounded, which Erasmus claims they are.
Instead, Erasmus’ response was an extremely defensive and angry voice note that has only entrenched the perception that he is increasingly behaving like an entitled man-child.
Erasmus is without doubt one of the greatest rugby brains to ever sit in the coach’s box, and the glory of 2019 will always be cherished by a grateful nation.
But he is not above criticism, or the right of reply. Rassie needs to learn to argue his case in a more constructive way. DM
Why this angry bias Craig Ray? I missed the ranting anger and deep resentment from Erasmus that you castigate him for. Putting a few things straight from his perspective, not picking a fight – expressing respect even admiration. But nevertheless standing up for himself after public criticism.
Twitter just seems to bring out the worst in people. Rassie should just stay of the platform…
One has to seriously question Erasmus’ psychological stability and suitability for the position of Director of Rugby SA.
Craig, while reading your article I immediately felt a strong sense of bias and I went and looked who writes such nonsense. I sense that you have an issue with Rassie and you are displaying it in public. I just can’t believe that you can have such a distorted view about an event. Rassie respectfully corrected Nick in public. Full Stop!
Exactly.
“former Bok coach Nick Mallett” sort of sums it up doesn’t it. Like Thabo Mbeki having a go at Cyril, it really isn’t done, is it. While I realise Mallett has a job to keep going, he really should STFU when it comes to Rassie, who has been doing an absolutely fabulous job over the last four years in getting SA rugby back to where it should be, after the disasters of the past. In fact, I’d like to say his interventions about international refs has had a huge positive influence on the way they run the game. They are suddenly understanding that they – and the English RFU and press in addition – are not the demigods they’d like to think they are but have been irritating many supporters of ALL teams with their self-possessed ‘holier-than-thou’ attitudes that had made the game very bad to watch at times. Rassie has also changed the game itself by, firstly, his rush defence that destroyed the ABs and the English in RWC 2019 and secondly, his wider style of play that has resulted from that which has seen some amazing rugby being played. And sorry, Nick, but Rassie’s top interest should be the Boks because it is from their success that everything else flows in SA. Plus, when Grey College and Paul Roos are the top and fifth rugby schools in the world, you have to believe that things are only going to get better and better. RASSIE RULES!!!
Its a storm in a teacup. Rugby is a hard game with strong opinions and sometimes opinions are not shared by others. Great. Move on. Its not personal.
Who is Craig Ray?
Credentials please
Craig Ray, a pretty biased viewpoint you write against Rassie, which further smacks of a possible chip on your shoulder with him?
Nick Mallet is a good scholar of the game and I listen to his comments after test games with interest but, on his Comment in question, he certainly (and it appears purposely), punched below the belt and Rassie was more than in his right to bring Mallet to task publicly, as in which Mallet made his comment.
Further, a number of people, especially internationally, are of the opinion that Rassie is a whinger and stirer on social media but he has been SA only truly outspoken crusader with the balls to have taken the fight to those of rugby power who have looked down their noses on The Springboks in recent years. You cannot fight and hope to win against The WRB on their hallowed turf. Creating international negative social media opinion against the WRB is the only way that will get them to sit up and at least listen.
Dave Stephens WELL SAID 👍🏻
I am sure Rassie and Nick remain friends. Per Dave Stephens comment below, it’s high time someone pointed out poor refereeing, which is damaging rugby, at least in the eyes of the spectators that Rassie understands.
In line with almost all the comments below, it seems that Craig Ray has a chip on his shoulder. Let him be honest and ethical and tell us what his problem with Rassie is. Also has Ray actually played rugby at any higher level than “league rugby”.
Rant??? Criticism sure …… but rant? I didn’t listen to the voice note (I hate Twitter), but reading the quote in this article doesn’t come across as a rant to me. I guess this is all just to attract readers but c’mon DM – you can do better than this.
I think your article is unfair in that the headline portrays an angry rant in the public domain by Rassie Erasmus against Nick Mallett.
Firstly, Nick made his comments in the public domain and did not address them privately to Rassie. Why do you believe that Rassie should take Nick for a cup of coffee to discuss the matter privately?
Secondly, Rassie’s voice clip is quite calm and addresses only the points on which Nick commented. Hardly a rant.
Please avoid falling to the temptation of sensationalist reporting. Your organisation is better than that.
I really can’t see anything wrong with what Rassie Erasmus said or how he said it. I will admit that I do have an issue with Supersport. Their monopoly of the broadcasting of Springbok rugby games (and other sporting events) may be financially beneficial to the sports but it does exclude me and many others who do not subscribe to Supersport from enjoying the games live. Maybe Nick Mallet was just doing his job when he fired the first shot at Rassie Erasmus right in the public view but Rassie Erasmus is totally justified to defend himself and his job with equal (or nearly equal) publicity and with the decorum he used. No Craig Ray you are the one who is out of line. How about an article that seeks to get a more democratic broadcasting of Springbok rugby.
Mallets remark was silly, off colour and came from a dark place. I’m a regular viewer of The Final Whistle and I thought how on earth does Mallet think that SA Rugby including Rassie is doing nothing “to bring coaches through”. Is his buddy Dobbo complaining that he has not been told that he is in line to be a future Bok coach? I’m a Stormers fan but really, Mallet was being obviously ridiculous. He deserved as much as he got. Because he works for Supersport does not mean he can say whatever he wants and that Rassie then may not respond. What is it with these ex coaches?
Dear DM, what’s going on in the office? Did you listen to the voice note, read the article? Clearly someone isn’t doing their job, this nonsense should never have been published. Craig you should be ashamed!