Rassie Erasmus opens up about his fallout with Warren Gatland

Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, which saw the Springboks win the series 2-1. 

There was plenty of off-field juice associated with the tour, starting with Erasmus’ irregular practice of acting as water boy while the Boks were on the field of play. In addition to this, no introduction is needed to the much-publicised video Erasmus made for World Rugby regarding the officiating of referee Nic Berry after the first Test. 

Said video was leaked to the public and many hold the opinion that it had a significant effect on the outcome of the tour. Erasmus vehemently denies having leaked the video, however, and has revealed that he and Lions boss Warren Gatland have not spoken since. 

"That makes me very sad," Erasmus said in an interview with the Mail. 

"People think I leaked that video. I didn't. Who leaks something like that? Why would I wreck my whole career to do that? 

"Many people have already made up their mind. How do you change people's perception when World Rugby have found me guilty and banned me for 12 months? I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I just want them to know what really happened." 

Erasmas went on to reveal where needle between himself and Gatland began to germinate. As the tour was in doubt due to Covid-19, both coaches seemed to be on the same page about its promotion and thus seemed to be on good terms until the action got underway on the pitch. 

"Warren came out and said they must look at Faf de Klerk's tackle. That was the headline. I thought, "Warren, we want this tour to be positive, why are you doing this?" I was annoyed. so I put out a tweet and the message I wanted him to hear was, "Stop talking rubbish in the media'. 

“The very next day there were articles in every British newspaper saying Warren was unhappy about having a South African TMO. Don't tell me that isn't a way of putting Marius under pressure. 

"Before the first Test I had a meeting with the match officials. I explained to the referee that the Springboks had not played for two years since the World Cup and our captain Siya Kolisi would be up against a team with four international captains. 

"I knew from experience how they intimidate referees, so I asked that he must give Siya the same respect as Alun Wyn Jones, to which he agreed. 

"When I was water carrier during that first Test, I was close to the action and I could see that Siya was not getting heard. 

"There were also many decisions that I disagreed with and wanted clarity on. I phoned Nic on the Sunday after the game to discuss , but was unsuccessful in setting up a meeting. Instead, I provided him with video clips of the decisions I required clarity on. 

“The feedback I received was inadequate. Only the obvious and not so critical mistakes were admitted, but the mistakes which affected the outcome of the match were not." 

With more reference to the leaking of the video and his relationship with Gatland, Erasmus added: 

"Listen, the mistake I made was not putting a password on the link. I didn't think it was necessary. I compounded that by not warning that it was confidential. So I accept and agree with World Rugby's finding that a public leak was almost inevitable. But I repeat, I am not the person who leaked that video. 

"Me and Warren didn't even shake hands. I've not spoken to Warren since and that's sad. Very sad. 

"We didn't even say goodbye. I think he thinks I leaked the video and that makes me sad."