SA Rugby to offer 5-year contract to Rassie?

Cape Town - Rumours that SA Rugby will offer Rassie Erasmus the Springbok coaching job are growing stronger by the day.

Recent media reports indicated that Allister Coetzee may be sacked as Springbok coach, with reports late last week linking Erasmus as a possible successor.

According to Erasmus’ management team, there have been no talks with SA Rugby regarding a possible move back to South Africa, with his lawyer, Frikkie Erasmus, telling Rugby365 at the weekend: "He is very happy in Ireland and he doesn't have the interference there that happens here in South Africa. He has a long stint to go on what is a very good contract."

Erasmus is currently the director of rugby at Irish club Munster.

But it appears SA Rugby is busy formulating a plan to lure him back.

According to Netwerk24, SA Rugby’s executive council met on Monday to discuss the issue, with the Afrikaans website reporting that SA Rugby is willing to offer Erasmus a five-year contract.

Reports over the weekend indicated that Munster would also not stand in Erasmus’ way should he wish to return to South Africa.

However, whether Erasmus wants the Springbok coaching job is another question, considering the fact that he left South Africa last year after serving as head of SA Rugby’s mobi-unit.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander last week said a decision regarding the Springbok head coaching position will be made at the end of January.

“We’re not sure which way we’re going, whether we’re keeping Allister or not,” Alexander told City Press newspaper.

“We still have presentations to go through but no formal decision has been made on whether we’re going forward with him or not.

“At the end of January we’ll make an announcement on whether we’re keeping him.”

The Springboks endure a torrid 2016 under Coetzee's tutelage, losing eight out of 12 Tests. It included a first ever loss to Ireland on home soil, losing away to Argentina, a 57-15 pummelling at home against the All Blacks, as well as going down to lowly Italy - also for the first time ever.