'It's nice to be back': Rassie confirms his matchday role for Ireland clash

SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus is ready to take in the matchday excitement at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday when the Springboks take on Ireland in their November tour opener.

On Wednesday, South Africa's Director of Rugby confirmed that he will be in the coach's box during the game.

Erasmus famously received a ban from World Rugby for his hour-long video criticising Nic Berry's refereeing decisions in the first Test of the British and Irish Lions series last year. The ban prevented Erasmus from being with the team at stadiums on matchdays until the end of September this year.

Now that the ban is up, Erasmus will be a strong voice in Dublin, but not as a water carrier after the rules were amended earlier this year.

In May, World Rugby revealed that the two dedicated water carriers on the field “cannot be a Director of Rugby or a head coach”.

"It was within the protocols and within the laws to be a water carrier back then, so I will be back in the coach’s box with the coaches," Erasmus told reporters on Wednesday.

"I love rugby, I love matchdays and I love being with the guys in the changeroom.

"I missed it a lot.

"It's not nice being with them during the week and then on matchday the bus leaves with the players and then you have to go to your room.

"It's nice to be back."

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Kit clash

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of talk over the jerseys for Saturday's clash.

This week it was revealed that Ireland will be playing in navy blue and green jerseys against the Boks, who be wearing their traditional dark green jerseys.

There are concerns that the kits might clash as they did back in 2017 when Ireland won 38-3.

"For me, it looks like they won't clash," said Erasmus.

"I am not the referee who must make the decisions on the field when it is really tight and close.

"I guess the guys would have done their homework and they would know if they clash.

"I just know the home team gets to wear the alternative jersey and the visiting team wears their traditional jerseys. As long as the referee can see and the fans can, we can play without disturbance.

"When I compared the two [jerseys] there was a difference.

"We just know that we will have to pitch up with our jerseys and if there is a clash the guys who are in charge will sort it out."

@rugby365com