Springboks are damaged by Rassie rants
PROUDFOOT: ENGLAND MUCH BETTER WITH REFS
England v S Africa Saturday, 5.30pm
SCRUM coach Matt Proudfoot insists England keep their noses clean in dealing with officials – and never sound off on social media.
That is in stark contrast to his former boss, South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus (right), who will not be at Twickenham to watch England host the Springboks on Saturday, as he is banned from matchday involvement. Erasmus was slapped with a two-game suspension for his latest Twitter tirade at English referee Wayne Barnes, after the Boks’ recent 30-26 defeat to France.
Proudfoot, born in South Africa, worked for Erasmus’ Boks and helped them land the 2019 World Cup before joining England. He believes the national team should be a beacon of light for the country. “The brand of the Springboks is one designed to bring hope to the country,” said Proudfoot.
“As South African custodians that’s what the role is – to preserve the brand of the Springbok.
“When I lived in South Africa I was a proud South Africa supporter, and that’s what the brand of the Springbok means, and that’s what it should be.”
Proudfoot revealed England send any clips of queries to World Rugby’s head of officials, Joel Jutge, on the Sunday after a game and get responses on Monday morning.
He said: “There’s a clear line of communication, if you want clarification on something.
“World Rugby has been great in the way it has communicated with us. It’s really constructive.”
And Proudfoot insists the Boks’ head coach, Jacques Nienaber, is too shrewd to let the current fuss around Erasmus affect his squad.
“Jacques is a smooth operator,” added Proudfoot. “So for them it’s just outside noise, it doesn’t affect them.”
Jack Willis has been left out of England’s 25-man squad. Manu Tuilagi is set to win his 50th England cap.