To defuse racism bombshell

and the whole week that Lood de Jager, who was now in the starting lineup, was out of the Bomb Squad,’’ Erasmus told the media in Kobe on Sunday.

‘‘So at the end of the game, when the Bomb Squad was getting together, Lood was on his way there and Frans Steyn told him, ‘you are not part of the squad anymore’ and gestured for him to go away.

‘‘Mapimpi was on his way over to them at the same time, saw it was the Bomb Squad and just turned around.

‘‘It’s so sad that people would see something negative in it because I can give you my word, as a head coach I would not allow anything like that in the team.’’

The incident comes as the South African Human Rights Commission confirmed it would open a case against lock Eben Etzebeth over allegations he physically and racially abused a patron in a bar in late August.

Etzebeth has vehemently denied any wrong-doing, but is likely to have to defend himself against the charges in South Africa’s Equality Court, which hears civil cases, after the World Cup.

That has divided opinion in South Africa as to whether Etzebeth should be in Japan at all.

Erasmus has worked hard to get a unified and effective Springboks squad gelling for this World Cup, including appointing Siya Kolisi as captain.

‘‘I have been part of a lot of Springboks teams and this is one where there are not a lot of egos,’’ said Erasmus, who played 36 matches for the Springboks.

‘‘We have picked the best guys in South Africa and there are so many different cultures and languages.

‘‘I think this team is representing the country with a lot of pride and we are really united. No-one can point fingers at this team.’’