Cape Town - New national coach Allister Coetzee insists Rassie Erasmus’s decision to turn his back on South African rugby is not because he didn't get the Springbok head coaching job.
Irish club Munster on Monday confirmed the appointment of Erasmus as their director of rugby on a three-year deal, commencing on July 1.
While the suspected strained relationship between Erasmus and SARU president Oregan Hoskins can be given as a reason for Erasmus’s departure, Afrikaans newspaper Rapport reported at the weekend that Erasmus was upset that he was not offered the position as Springbok head coach.
Coetzee though expelled the rumours that there is bad blood between him and Erasmus.
“Rassie offered me an assistant coaching role at the Stormers in 2007. We worked well together,” Coetzee told Netwerk24.
“I think Rassie was instrumental in my appointment as Bok coach. I also want to make it clear that he is not leaving because I was appointed.”
Erasmus will leave his post as SA Rugby's general manager of high performance after the Springboks' June Test series against Ireland.
Coetzee says he and Erasmus will work in close collaboration ahead of the Ireland series.
“There shouldn't be any disruption because Rassie will only make the move after the series against Ireland. I look forward to working with him until he finishes.”