Rassie Erasmus sidesteps Johnny Sexton referee drama: 'I'd rather keep quiet'

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said it wasn't his place to comment on the impending disciplinary processes that Ireland captain Johnny Sexton may have to deal with following last month's Champions Cup final in Dublin.

Rapport newspaper reported that Leinster club captain Sexton swore at South African referee Jaco Peyper after the game. Leinster squandered a 17-0 lead to lose 27-26 to La Rochelle.

English publication City. A.M reported this week that Sexton was given a misconduct letter by European Rugby chiefs where he's accused of three counts of misconduct.

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The publication further reported that Sexton faces a minimum 12-week ban that could rule him out of the World Cup.

Erasmus, who has also had his brushes with World Rugby over officiating issues, chose to stay clear of the matter, saying they've been working hard to improve their relationship with the global governing body.

"My opinion wouldn't change anything and we're trying our best with every disciplinary process regulation that comes out of World Rugby," Erasmus said.

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"We're really trying to build this relationship and getting to fully understand how they see and perceive things.

"We're trying to get things right and we're changing parts of our game to adapt to how the referees do certain things.

"I've put up my hands many times and said that's not how we can win a World Cup, and for me to comment on that matter will go against what we're trying to do.

"I'd rather keep quiet."

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The 37-year-old