'I missed the coach's box,' says Erasmus as he returns to on-field action against Ireland

In Dublin

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus confirmed that he would be in the coach's box for Saturday's Test against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Erasmus, who served as a water carrier during the 2021 British and Irish Lions series, was banned from on-field and media duties by World Rugby after a video where he analysed and criticised Nic Berry's refereeing decisions in the first Test of that series went viral.

Erasmus's last Test under the ban was on 24 September against Argentina at Kings Park, from where he has been able to participate in press engagements.

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Wednesday's was the first one with the team in the build-up to a Test match since the ban has elapsed and he returns to a stadium where, as the Munster director of rugby in 2017, he watched the Boks suffer a record-breaking 38-3 defeat.

Erasmus said he'll be seated with the rest of the Bok coaches.

"It was within the protocols and the laws to be a water carrier, but I will be in the coach's box with the coaches," Erasmus said

"I missed it a lot. I love rugby, being with the guys, it's going to be nice to be around the boys in the changing room.

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux

"It's not nice not to be with the guys on match-day because you spend time with them during the week and you