'Mum's on my case': Rassie hints at Twitter stayaway for World Cup, explains why Boks want Owens

SA Rugby's director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has hinted at staying off Twitter during this year's Rugby World Cup in France. 

Erasmus' Twitter rants landed him in trouble in recent times, with World Rugby issuing Erasmus with a two-Test ban late last year when he questioned the refereeing on the Springboks' year-end tour.

The ban mean that Erasmus was unable to participate in match-day activities for South Africa's final two Tests of 2022 - against Italy in Genoa and England at Twickenham.

Erasmus had been banned earlier for a longer period following his hour-long video highlighting the display of Australian referee Nic Berry in the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in 2021. 

Erasmus' most recent Tweet was on 11 February when he hit out at former Springbok coach Nick Mallett for perceived criticisms levelled at the director of rugby.

In a wide-ranging interview with UK publication Daily Mail, Erasmus hinted that he was taking a break from Twitter.

"Even the way I talk, sometimes people think it's aggressive. When you've known me a while you know it's not aggressive. We definitely want to change that view. Prior to those two incidents (Erasmus' bans), we never had stuff like that. It will take hard work to change," Erasmus said.

Wish they will just ask for the truth first before they give ‘expert opinions’ pic.twitter.com/32dcX6m6Ng

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It's part of the reason why Erasmus is eager to sign former Test referee Nigel Owens to help the Boks at the World Cup.

"I don't want to talk myself into a hole again here," Erasmus added. "We basically felt we have to repair this because, obviously, there's not a great relationship (with