Erasmus to risk longer ban with TV tell-all

Boks coach’s threat to rake up his old crimes against the Lions

RASSIE ERASMUS could find himself in hot water with World Rugby again after he revealed plans to tell ‘his side of the story’ on his ban from the game, as part of a TV documentary.

A fortnight ago the disgraced South Africa director of rugby was suspended from matchdays for ten months, and any involvement in the sport for two, for his hourlong Lions series video in which he publicly slammed refereeing decisions.

And yesterday, Erasmus (below) took to Twitter to announce he is to break cover — which has the governing body monitoring the situation closely.

Erasmus wrote on social media: ‘So excited!! Part of a documentary that we’re working on (I do have some time at hand) with Supersport I’ll be able to share my side of the story!! Thank you, SuperSportTV’.

It is understood that if Erasmus undermines the outcome of his ban in the documentary it will trigger yet more disciplinary action.

Last week, South African Rugby and Erasmus withdrew appeals against the verdict, but they are not letting this matter lie.

Meanwhile, the chaotic Covid situation in South Africa could lead to European Cup match forfeits, with Cardiff and Munster still stuck in the red-listed country and scrambling to fulfil upcoming fixtures.

After United Rugby Championship games in South Africa were suspended last week due to the rise of the new Omicron variant, Scarlets managed to escape to a quarantine hotel in Belfast, and Italian side Zebre made it to Bologna. But last night Cardiff and Munster remained in Cape Town. The Munster squad have had approval to return to Ireland — aside from one member who tested positive and one close contact — but Cardiff are yet to sort their travel home.

The Welsh side have two positive cases, one suspected to be Omicron, isolating in a separate hotel to their team-mates who themselves have returned two sets of negative PCR results.

Cardiff face European Champions Cup holders Toulouse on December 11 at home, and Munster travel to Wasps the day after. Even if both teams return home soon those games will be adversely affected. Sportsmail understands while organisers EPCR will not force teams to play their fixtures, they will stick to their regulations which state that if a side cannot field a team they forfeit the game with a 28-0, five-point defeat.

Cardiff are in the worst position. They only have seven established players at home — Josh Adams, Ellis Jenkins, Willis Halaholo, Seb Davies, Tomos Williams, Dillon Lewis and Olly Robinson — but the rest must self-isolate in a quarantine hotel for ten days on their return.

Therefore it is hugely doubtful they will be able to play Toulouse on Saturday week.

EPCR may allow a relaxation of registration rules, so additional players can fill a match-day squad. But teams need to stick as much as possible to their fixture list, to satisfy broadcast deals with the likes of BT Sport, so postponements are incredibly unlikely.

The affected sides are also facing eye-watering bills of up to £125,000 each — having to pay for quarantine hotel rooms in South Africa and at home.