‘Disgusting’ – Springboks fans slam Israel Dagg and Kiwi pundit after personal Rassie Erasmus attack
Springboks fans have hit-out at the comments comparing Rassie Erasmus to Jabba the Hutt.
Ex-All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg and Kiwi pundit Scott Stevenson have been slammed for their comments on Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
The pair host the breakfast show on SENZ radio in New Zealand and ahead of Saturday’s clash between the Springboks and All Blacks, they spoke at length about Erasmus’ decision to bring Eben Etzebeth into his matchday 23 after deeming him unfit for the clash.
Personal attack on Rassie Erasmus
However, the conversation turned ugly when the duo criticised the Springboks boss’ appearance with Stevenson comparing Erasmus to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen [from Dune] and Jabba the Hutt [from Star Wars].
Perhaps unknown to Stevenson is the fact that Erasmus has an autoimmune disease, granulomatosis, which he battled with during the 2019 Rugby World Cup and continues to do so now.
“What is about it with Rassie? Does he just treat the world like his own kind of empire now?” Stevenson said.
“If Eben Etzebeth has been named on the bench a day after saying he’s been ruled out with a knee injury, he was never ruled out – it’s just that that just doesn’t happen.
“The games this guy plays like there’s a part of me that says, well played, Sir but there’s another part of you that just gets sick, and the one thing I noticed the press conferences this week and the video coverage… Is it just me or is Rassie looking every day more like Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, leader of the House of Hakkinen from Dune. Like, seriously, what’s going on?
“How much Klippies [Brandy] and coke has he been on?
“Honestly, he’s just sitting there and I said like, he reminds me of – and this is not a weight issue – but he had the countenance of Jabba the Hut. This sort of a man just holding court and just knowing that he was the boss of his empire.
“But Eben Etzebeth, like there’s no way, if you’ve got an MCL that’s ruled you out of a test, you’re not starting on the bench. So the one thing I’d say about that is, you know, it’s one thing to play games, it’s another just a straight-out lie about your team list.
“I find that a little bit strange, especially given where sport is and the decisions people are making around sports. And I think, you know where I’m getting at for those listeners at home. You know, it’s just gaming the system.
“And, you know, I know he’s treated as king in South Africa, but you know, gee he treads a line, doesn’t he?”
100% planned
Dagg weighed in saying that Etzebeth’s inclusion back into the team was definitely planned by the Springboks boss.
“We got super ahead of ourselves here in New Zealand and me personally, thinking wow, Eben, he’s a huge loss.
“One of the big factors in the Springboks squad, will go a long way, o you have to say, it was all part of the plan – it was 100% all part of the plan.
“He names it early, probably for that simple fact, to play these games. 100 per cent.”
Erasmus’ condition and backlash
The comments made by Stevenson in particular have been met with huge backlash from Springboks fans with many pointing to the fact that Erasmus has a chronic illness which has contributed to his appearance.
Erasmus spent a large part of 2019 fighting an illness known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a very uncommon disorder that can cause inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys.
The condition was previously known as Wegener’s disease – and in Erasmus’ case, the area most affected was in his throat, leaving him breathless and with the strange feeling that something was stuck in his throat.
The disease also causes him to retain more water than usual leading him to look unwell and bloated.
“Pretty low to have a crack at someone’s weight and appearance when he’s got a fairly well-publicised chronic condition,” one reaction read.
While many others were far more brutal towards the pair.
Another read: “Absolutely disgusting remark about Rassie. Sickening to say the least. Google microscopic polyangiitis with granulomatosis, moron.”
“Disgusting content @izzy_dagg You guys should be ashamed of yourselves,” Sardieq WP wrote.
“Says it’s not a weight issue, but references the following 2 characters…. Vladimir Harkonnen & Jabba the Hutt can’t get into his head, now start with personal attacks on appearance. All star c**t move,” another post on X, formerly Twitter read.
Says it's not a weight issue, but references the following 2 characters…. Vladimir Harkonnen & Jabba the Hutt🙄 can't get into his head, now start with personal attacks on appearance. All star cúnt move @sumostevenson #RSAvNZL #Springboks https://t.co/viv4B5OWVb pic.twitter.com/IRtKWLp0k3
— phat55 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@MrRobot55DSL) August 31, 2024
“I mean, everything else aside, he has an autoimmune disease (which can be exacerbated by stress), but let’s take the piss out of how he looks. What a pr**k,” Belinda Glenn’s replied.
Meanwhile, others highlighted the fact that Erasmus was also open about the fact that Etzebeth could be added to the squad.
“Except that Rassie said on Tuesday that if Eben made it through 3 full training sessions, they would say on Wednesday if he would be in the 23 or not. On Wednesday they confirmed he would be, the day before the All Blacks announced their team. Not sure what the mind game is and not a bad idea to have three locks in a 23 if you can… and he was open about it from the start.,” Supersport commentator Matt Pearce wrote on X.
SENZ have confirmed to Planet Rugby that the comments will be addressed on-air on Monday.
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