South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been admitted to hospital after a freak accident left him with chemical burns, but he is expected to be back at work next month, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Erasmus, who has masterminded back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins for the Springboks, has undergone treatment but is not in any long-term danger.
"Rassie Erasmus is recovering in hospital following a medical procedure for chemical burns sustained in a freak accident using a powerful detergent product," South African Rugby said in a statement on Saturday.
"He is otherwise in good health and expects to return to full-time working within weeks."
The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times
Leicester Tigers and Montpellier among clubs looking to sign Leinster’s Ross Byrne
Farrell unfazed by Ireland being outscored in latter stages of Autumn Nations Series Tests
Rampant eight-try Australia condemn Warren Gatland’s Wales to 11th straight defeat
Erasmus is expected to take over the head coach role again in the next cycle to the 2027 World Cup in Australia after Jacques Nienaber vacated the position when he left for Irish club Leinster following last year’s triumph in France.
Erasmus was coach when the ‘Boks won the tournament in Japan in 2019.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024
