Rassi will be touring with Box

The Springboks travel to Australia this week for an important Rugby Championship tour. The 34-man squad was announced a few days ago and it is also understood that Director of Rugby Russi Eramus will also be traveling with the squad.

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In accordance with ReportErasmus is flying with the team to Australia and is sure to play an important role in the preparations for the upcoming Test matches.

Rassi has been able to resume most work-related Springbok activities since mid-January, but will only be able to participate on match days from October.

Earlier this year, he completed the first part of a ban that kept him out of all forms of rugby following his infamous 62-minute video in which he criticized the match’s governing body referees – specifically Australian referee Nick Berry – after the British and Irish Lions’ first series Test in July 2021.

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He recently took to Twitter to share how he lacks personal experience of the anthem and the overall match-day experience, although he can be involved in the planning and preparation of the Boks both before and after Test matches.

RUSSIE HAS PREVIOUSLY SHARED HOW THE REACTION TO THE VIDEO HAS HAPPENED TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY

Rassie Erasmus’ widely shared video on officials last year led to one of the biggest controversies in the game, while in an exclusive interview with Daily Mailhe spoke openly about the pain he had caused.

“I want people to know that I am not the monster that I am portrayed as,” said Rossi in an interview with the famous English writer Nick Simon.

“Did you know my sister lives in Reading? She is an NHS social worker. Fully invested in English life. She loves the Royal Family, sings God Save the Queen and will stand outside clapping for an old chap, Sir Tom, who has walked up and down his garden 100 times during his correction.

“After what happened on the Lions tour, it seemed like her family in the UK was the only people outside of South Africa who didn’t hate me. How do you think you feel? It feels awful, man…

“Look, I’ve never been a guy in a suit and tie and a self-proclaimed saint. I never said I would be a life coach. I’ve never had slogans like “the best people make the best rugby players”. I never said I was the best father in the world. Yes, I’ve always been a bit mischievous and loved to giggle, but I’ve always been an honest guy.

“People think I leaked that video. I did not. Who misses something like this? Why would I ruin my entire career to do this? I have 18 year old twin girls who are in school and they hear other parents telling them how their dad did it.

“My mom is in a nursing home and she’s being shown articles that say, ‘Rossi’s out of his mind, he’s depressed, he’s drunk.’ They think that because they are rooting for me to release that video. I want to tell the world that on the life of my youngest child, I did not leak this video.

“Many have already decided. How do you change people’s perceptions when World Rugby found me guilty and banned me for 12 months? I don’t want to be pitied. I just want them to know what really happened.”

The Boks have named a 34-man squad for the Australian Rugby Championship stage, with uncapped Cannon Moody receiving a call-up for his first tour with the national team.

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Moody, who was drafted into the team as a backup cover following a suspension handed to the wing Kurt-Lee Arendse for the dangerous tackle, is the only uncapped player in the group and will travel with the Springboks for the first time, providing cover on the wing and at full-back.

His presence also fills the void left behind Cheslin Kolbewho is on the road to recovery from a broken jaw that will only see him return for the final Test against Argentina.

With Bongi Mbonambi (prostitute) ruled out for four weeks after injuring his knee in training last week, Deon Fourier will serve as back-up to Malcolm Marks and Joseph Dweba, while the versatility of Damian Willems in the backline will provide cover at flyhalf, center and full-back.

Notably, Stormers star Evan Roos has not been included in the touring squad, while Kobus Reinach has recovered from injury and will add another option at scrum-half.

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