Erasmus asks Springboks not to compromise him on Munster job

Rassie Erasmus has defended his position in the midst of an apparent tug of war over the services of his touted replacement as Munster’s director of rugby.

The former Springbok has found himself caught between his current employers in Ireland and his future bosses at the South African Rugby Union (SARU), as Munster reportedly seek the signature of Johann van Graan, who is under contract with SARU.

It led last Saturday to the curious situation of Erasmus vouching for van Graan’s qualities as a potential Munster boss, while at the same time admitting he would rather be the 36-year-old stayed in his current role as South Africa’s forwards and attack coach in order to work with him on his return home.