Springboks: Rassie hopeful refereeing guru Nigel Owens will be on board for World Cup defence

The Springboks, and Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, remain hopeful that former international referee Nigel Owens will be in their corner as they seek to defend their World Cup title in France later this year. 

Addressing media in Stellenbosch on Wednesday, Erasmus confirmed reports that he has been in contact with Owens over the possibility of working as a specialist refereeing consultant for the Boks. 

It is an area that Erasmus has always placed huge emphasis on, and there was detailed analysis of the officials in charge of their 2019 World Cup fixtures. 

With the focus on head injuries and player safety at an all-time high, there is little room for defensive errors in the game presently, with tacklers regularly yellow or red-carded if they get their positioning even slightly wrong. 

Owens, a veteran of 100 Test matches and considered one of the greatest referees of all time, would be working with the Springbok players, but also as the communication bridge between the Boks and World Rugby. 

That is an area that Erasmus acknowledged on Wednesday he had not always done well. 

Nothing was confirmed yet, Erasmus said, and the appointment still needs to be approved by SA Rugby, while Owens would also need to declare himself fully available. 

"I wouldn't say they were negotiations. I phoned him, and we had a good chat and I explained to him exactly what I think we need to get to restore the way we communicate to World Rugby," said Erasmus.

"We've tried in different ways. I've made some errors there, and I think there were some errors on both sides, but the Springboks and South Africa are much bigger than us having our scuffles and disagreeing with one another.

"There are a few other options, but Nigel was the first guy I was after