Rassie to rescue hapless Bok coaches?

UPDATE Erasmus has told The Cape Times that he knows nothing of an offer and that the position is just media speculation. He said he remains committed to the Stormers and WP and is contracted until 2012.

Rob Wagner, MD of Western Province Rugby said, “Rassie Erasmus is contracted to WP Rugby until the end of 2012 and will not be leaving WP to take up a coaching position with SARU. Rassie is committed to WP Rugby and is a valued and respected member of the coaching staff. The rumours of a rift and an imminent move have absolutely no basis. There will be no further comment on the matter.”

Original story Western Province Senior Professional Coach Rassie Erasmus will be brought into the Springbok management team as a strategic consultant and technical adviser.

SARU wants Erasmus to join hapless coach Peter de Villiers and his assistants Gary Gold and Dick Muir on the Boks’ end-of-year tour in November. They are reportedly so desperate that they will pay any amount for him to be released from his contract with Western Province.

WP defence coach Jacques Nienaber will likely follow Erasmus if he accepts the post, meaning that Gary Gold becomes surplus to requirements with his two areas of responsibility being covered by others (the forwards by Os du Randt and Rassie Erasmus, defence by Nienaber). De Villiers, as always, remains untouchable.