EXPLAINER | What we know about Rassie Erasmus' latest ban ... for now

In Genoa

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been slapped with another ban by World Rugby for highlighting apparent questionable refereeing in the Springboks' two losses against Ireland and France over the past two match weekends this month.

The ban was confirmed by World Rugby on Thursday after quietly surveying his Twitter storm stemming from officiating inconsistencies in the 19-16 and 30-26 defeats to Ireland and France in Dublin and Marseille respectively.

When World Rugby was approached for comment by News24 earlier this week, the governing body said it didn't want to comment.

When the ban was issued, it was pretty definitive how the 2019 World Cup-winning Springbok coach will be punished.

Here is what the ban will entail:

Why was he banned?

Erasmus was banned for tweeting video clips of controversial refereeing calls that blighted the Boks' two defeats against Ireland in Dublin on 5 November and the loss against France in Marseille on 12 November.

Erasmus only issued one tweet with an inaccuracy he picked up in the Ireland game, but tweeted more from the France defeat.

No engagement with media and social media about match officials:

This means Erasmus won't be participating in any media events for next week's Test against England.

He had his opportunity this week when he appeared next to Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber in Tuesday's team announcement.

It was at that engagement that he provided some clarity on why he tweeted the video clips of Wayne Barnes' officiating in the France game.

Erasmus, who has every so often featured in press conferences, has been robbed of this, plus tweeting about officiating.

Going by the manner in which the ban is worded, he's still be allowed to tweet, just not about match officials.

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