[imagesource: Twitter / Rassie Erasmus]

We won’t see Rassie Erasmus carrying water onto the field during a Springbok test until the tail-end of next year.

The current SA Rugby director of rugby was handed a two-month ban from all rugby activities, as well as a 10-month ban from matchday activities, for his video criticising the refereeing in the first British & Irish Lions test match.

I think if you had told him at the time that the Boks would come back to win 2-1, he would have accepted this ban as collateral damage.

Yesterday, SA Rugby and Rassie withdrew their appeal against World Rugby’s sanctions and issued an apology to Nic Berry, who reffed that test match.

Rassie isn’t shy of using Twitter to get his points across (or to make fun of bitter All Black journalists).

Of late, he’s very much enjoying a beverage or two. Even then, he’s sending messages to the powers that be.

This seems harmless enough:

Aish leBan indiza entloko,kuzobanzima. Mara kuzolunga!!! pic.twitter.com/EYsvWmI7Da

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 25, 2021

He’s essentially saying that the ban will be hard (it’s getting to his head) but he will soldier on.

His second tweet is where the real analysis lies:

Coach Rennie leyi ya titimela naswona yi yimele wena.@marinosandy12 🤫 @wallabies pic.twitter.com/dTMQmqpu9v

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 25, 2021

We’re adults now so we don’t call Buffalo on that right-hand shot, okay?

Google Translate says that means “Coach Rennie The train also represents you.”

However, that’s not exactly on the money:

Horrible translation by Google. Here is the correct translation from XiTsonga to English: Coach Rennie, this one (drink) is very cold and it’s awaiting for you.

— Steven Moloto🇿🇦 (@MolotoSteven) November 25, 2021

That drink is waiting for Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

Why? After preaching from his pulpit about how referees should be respected, with governing body Rugby Australia also being vocal, Rennie went to town on the officiating after his side’s recent loss to Wales.

This from The Guardian:

Rennie has called for big match rugby officials to be held more accountable after being left convinced his men were robbed of a tour-ending Test triumph by “horrendous” decisions.

Rennie was left raging at the officiating in his side’s last-kick 29-28 defeat to Wales at Cardiff on Sunday morning, saying Australia would make their complaints clear in a report to World Rugby head of refereeing Joël Jutge.

He was particularly incensed by South African TMO Marius Jonker, who he believes played a major part in costing the Wallabies two potential victories on the tour against Scotland and now Wales.

Oh, how the tables have turned.

World Rugby’s silence in the wake of Rennie’s extreme criticism of the match officials is deafening.

I guess it’s okay to badmouth but if you make a video pointing out actual incidents where you think the referee got it wrong you’re crossing the line.

Rassie’s tweets featuring alcohol have been coming thick and fast. Here are two further examples from last week:

Sad not to be with the boys !!Captain’s Practice time now !! I do however get the feeling the 2 months will not be so bad as feared !!🇲🇺🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/ft7K2VgrUa

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 19, 2021

Congrats England pic.twitter.com/xlzPQYIDQg

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 20, 2021

Something tells me Rassie has a very festive December planned.

[source:guardian]