Rassie Erasmus might be quitting Western Province, but it's not to become the next Springbok coach.
"Rassie will not be the new Springbok coach when the South African Rugby Union makes the announcement later this month," said his lawyer Frikkie Erasmus.
Erasmus, the WP's senior professional coach, will leave for France and England tomorrow to meet possible future employers.
"There has been a lot of speculation about Rassie taking on some sort of technical role with the Springboks on a more permanent basis but there has been no approach from Saru," said the lawyer.
He was the Boks' technical adviser at the Rugby World Cup and is widely regarded as one of the most astute coaches in the modern game.
Frikkie Erasmus also denied that Rassie quit because his position at WP was being undermined after the release of top players Jaque Fourie, Johann Sadie and CJ van der Linde.
WP spokesman Gavin Lewis said there was nothing untoward about Erasmus's search for a new job while still under contract at WP.
"We have known about his decision for a while," said Lewis. "Everything about it has been amicable."
Erasmus still had a year remaining on his contract but he will leave WP at the end of the month.
"There are a number of new opportunities ... at a higher level and I am considering my options," Erasmus said.
"Each is an exciting and massive new challenge and that is a big attraction to me at this stage of my career. In the interim I have offered to continue to assist at WP whenever required.
"I have enjoyed my time here in the Cape immensely and feel that I have contributed to building the structures that have taken us to the brink of success.
" I have no doubt that success is a tiny step away now and I leave Province satisfied with the strides made."
One of his options is selling and implementing a technical software system, "Out Fox", which he has spent years developing and used at last year's World Cup.
"We are obviously very sorry to see Rassie go, but understand his desire for new challenges," said WP CEO Rob Wagner.
"Rassie has been very good about keeping us informed of his decision and we have been waiting for the return of our senior players and team management before making the announcement.
"He is a big loss but we are confident that the structures, players, coaching and management staff and the plans in place are strong enough to allow us to make that final jump and secure the silverware that we are all working towards."
Rassie seeking new challenge
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