Rassie and Kiwi journalist in nasty public spat

REACTION: South Africa's Director of Rugby Erasmus has gotten into a public spat with a media entity over negative comments aimed at the four-time World Cup-winning Springboks.

Erasmus, who enjoys a bit of social media engagement with various people, did not take kindly to remarks made by New Zealand-based RugbyPass reporter Ben Smith.

Smith, an analyst and columnist for @rugby365com's parent company, is famous for riling South Africans with his baiting comments.

He trolled Bok fans with his post earlier this week in which he downplayed South Africa's record forth World Cup win.

"The back-to-back Boks are not, I repeat, are not, the greatest of all time," Smith said.

"One cakewalk and one decent run where they got by on miraculous comebacks," he added.

"Got a one man advantage in the Final and only just got over the line.

"Lots of heart, lots of guts, but deep down they know."

And Erasmus took the bait, with a virulent response.

"Ben, I don’t know if you are a real person, but surely you must stop embarrassing NZ with your tweets," Erasmus snapped back.

"Grow up man and just have a look if you still have balls [he or she] that will show and help you to go be bit more as man or a lady.

"You = NZ [not]."

Smith's response was equally disdainful.

"Director of Retweets, take the big win over the 14-man ABs and be quiet mate," the Kiwi journalist retorted.

"Get off X/Twitter and go enjoy the celebrations.

"I don’t speak for New Zealand.

"Are you mad I don’t think this is the greatest rugby team?"