Erasmus is torn on World Cup race

MUNSTER Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus thinks both his native South Africa and his current home would be wonderful hosts of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Both nations are still in the running along with France to host the competition, and Erasmus admits that he finds it hard to identify who will eventually host the event.

The race to be the winning bidder reached its crucial point this week when all three countries made their final presentations to World Rugby in London.

A final decision on who will host the event will not be announced until November 15.

Erasmus could well lead South Africa into that World Cup as he is due to leave Munster Rugby and take over the role as Director of Rugby with the Springboks in the coming months, but he thinks Ireland would also be wonderful hosts.

“I think both countries would do a great job,” said Erasmus. “Both countries probably deserve something like this, the way Irish people support sport in general and then I know how big World Cup rugby is in South Africa.

“It’s exciting to think one of those – I’m not sure how big France is in the mix – I’m not sure.”

Having won the World Cup on the only occasion they have acted as hosts, the competition has fond memories for Erasmus, although he says he didn’t quite make the final in 1995.

“I was a student and didn’t have money to get there,” said Erasmus. “That was the one South Africa won in 1995. I was a young student. It was great memories.

“It was the first time in history, Nelson Mandela and all of those kind of things.

“There is not a South African guy who was born then who wouldn’t know where he was when that specific final was played. It was a big thing in South African history.”