Rassie says Boks delighted for flag reprieve: 'We're glad that it's in a way sorted out'

South Africa's director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, said on Tuesday he was glad the Springboks will be able to fly their flag in this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.

Visit News24's Rugby World Cup 2023 zone for fixtures, pools, profiles, top stories

On Tuesday, the country's Sport Minister, Zizi Kodwa, said they had lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decision.

South Africa had been given until Friday to update its anti-doping legislation in compliance with new WADA rules but was almost certain to miss the deadline.

That would have triggered a ban on the Springboks flying their flag and playing the national anthem at Sunday's clash against the host nation in Paris.

Kodwa said the appeal with CAS should "stave off" the effects of the WADA decision, sparing the World Cup holders a major embarrassment.

WADA later confirmed that South Africa would be free to fly their flag until CAS has formally heard the case, effectively defusing the controversy for the time being.

The Montreal-based agency said it had received formal notification of the appeal, adding "the allegation of non-compliance is put on hold and the consequences will not apply until such time as CAS makes its ruling".

"Whatever happened, we would be representing South Africa," Erasmus told reporters.

"Even if it went the other way, the boys would be totally focused on the match.

"We're glad that it's in a way sorted out," he added.

Erasmus's World Cup holders are set to face France captain Antoine Dupont in Paris this weekend.

The influential scrumhalf has been given the all-clear to return to full training after fracturing his cheekbone three weeks ago.

READ | Dupont to front Boks