Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus hospitalised after ‘freak accident’
South Africa Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France.
SA Rugby have confirmed that director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been hospitalised after a freak accident.
The 51-year-old, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory as head coach in 2019 and as director in 2023, sustained the injury in what SA Rugby describe as a ‘freak accident’.
Erasmus in hospital
Erasmus is expected to be able to return to work fully “within weeks”.
A statement from South Africa Rugby said: “Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s director of rugby, is recovering in hospital following a medical procedure for chemical burns sustained in a freak accident using a powerful detergent product.
“He is otherwise in good health and expects to return to full-time working within weeks.”
The former Springboks back-rower is returning as head coach of the Test team in 2024 following the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster.
He previously held the role leading up to and during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Erasmus’ second stint as the Springboks head coach kicks off in July with two Test matches against Ireland. The Boks will face off against Andy Farrell’s charges at Loftus Versfeld on July 6 and Kings Park in Durban a week later.
Following that, South Africa will face off against Portugal for the first time, hosting Os Lobos in Bloemfontein.
During Erasmus’ playing days, he earned 36 Test caps for the Springboks, scoring seven tries.
He also represented the Cheetahs, Cats, and Stormers before announcing his retirement and immediately moving into coaching.
He began his coaching career at the Cheetahs in the early 2000s before holding roles with the Stormers, South Africa, and Munster.
Following a poor run on results, Erasmus replaced Allister Coetzee has head coach of the Springboks in 2018 and delivered World Cup glory a year later in Japan.
The Springboks’ home Test schedule for 2024
Saturday, July 6: South Africa v Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, July 13: South Africa v Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, July 20: South Africa v Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, August 31: South Africa v New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, September 7: South Africa v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, September 28: South Africa v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
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