Rassie Erasmus has tweeted his reply to World Rugby water boy ban

South African director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has taken to Twitter to post a seemingly tongue-in-cheek response to the decision by World Rugby to ban directors of rugby and head coaches from running water onto the pitch to their team. 

Erasmus courted controversy when he acted as a water boy during the Springboks’ Test series versus the Lions last year and again during some of their recent Autumn Nations Series matches. 

It brought into sharp focus the numbers of non-playing personnel entering the field of play and World Rugby have now acted in the hope that the law trial they are introducing from July 1 will result in games having a better flow.  

In the section of the law trial covering additional personnel, the regulation now specifically states: “Water carriers cannot be a director of rugby or head coach.” This essentially will put an end to Erasmus coming onto the field of play as he so often did in 2021.  

Or maybe not, judging by his tweet in response to the story of the law trial. “Was just talking to my line manager yesterday!! She also thought ‘Director of Rugby’ has such a formal ring to it! We agreed that Director of coaching will be a so much better title for me! Lekka!! Can’t wait.”

A World Rugby statement introducing the law trial read: “The World Rugby council has approved a global trial limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play during a match. Operational for all competitions and stand-alone matches starting after July 1, 2022, the trial aims to improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages without compromising welfare.

“The trial follows an extensive review by the international federation of the current elite rugby environment, including research into player hydration needs, and increasing disruption to play caused by multiple water carriers entering the field of play every time there is a stoppage.”