South Africa boss rules out Ireland role despite previous commitment U-turn

23 September 2023 , 08:00

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Rassie Erasmus has cooled talk of him returning to Ireland

Rassie Erasmus has ruled out leaving South Africa for Ireland having previously U-turned on his promise to not quit Munster.

The director of rugby has had a major impact in his homeland, guiding them to World Cup glory four years ago. Erasmus is looking to become the first coach to win successive World Cups and has poured water on the idea of him returning to Irish shores.

Senior figures in Ireland have helped the country rise to No 1 in the world and they are fancied to finally break their quarter-final hoodoo at the World Cup. The IRFU’s performance director, David Nucifora, will leave after the tournament, leaving a key vacancy that needs to be filled.

Erasmus will lose his right-hand man, Jacques Nienaber, to Ireland when he becomes the head coach at Leinster after the World Cup, but has no intention of following him back to Europe. He said on the speculation: “No no, no, I won’t be. There’s no talks. There’s no truth in that. I’m not sure where it’s come from but I definitely haven’t chatted to them (IRFU). I’m definitely not following Jacques.”

It was in Ireland that Erasmus made his name as coach of Munster. He led the province to the final of the Pro12 and the last four of the European Cup, overseeing a run of 14 wins in 15 games. Those exploits saw him linked with the South Africa job as the nation struggled.

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Erasmus' representative though ruled out the possibility of a switch, only for him to take up the job and leave Munster. "We are not aware of it, Rassie has a contract with Munster and won't travel to South Africa for discussions while doing so well with Munster," stressed Frikkie Erasmus back in 2017.

Rassie Erasmus made his name whilst coaching in Ireland with Munster

"Rassie is very happy in Ireland. He doesn't have to deal with interference, as is the case in South Africa. "He still has plenty of time left on his contract, which is a very good one."

Less than a year later and Erasmus left the Irish side to join up with South Africa, taking Nienaber with him, who was serving as a key member of the coaching staff.

South Africa and Ireland will square off this weekend with the winner likely to top the pool. The Irish got the better of their opponents the last time they played, albeit that was in Dublin. Erasmus has taken a swipe at Ireland's tournament record in the build-up to the contest, saying: “A few of my friends said that Ireland is our bogey team, but the World Cup is Ireland’s bogey competition.”

Samuel Meade