Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that South Africa are keen to add former referee Nigel Owens to their coaching ranks ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks’ director of rugby addressed the media on Wednesday, where he confirmed that he has been in contact with Owens over the possibility of working as a specialist refereeing consultant.
‘I’ve made some errors’
Erasmus explained that he contacted the former referee to help bridge the communication gap between the Boks and World Rugby.
He said that while he is talking to Owens, negotiations were yet to be underway over a permanent position.
“I wouldn’t say they were negotiations. I phoned him, he WhatsApped me back, and we had a good chat. I explained to him exactly what I think we need to get to restore the way we communicate to World Rugby,” Erasmus explained.
“We’ve tried in different ways. I’ve made some errors there, and I think there were some errors on both sides, but the Springboks and South Africa are much bigger than us having our scuffles and disagreeing with one another.”
The 2019 World Cup-winning coach added that the Welshman was not the only former referee on their radar, but he is the preferred choice.
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“There are a few other options, but Nigel specifically was the first guy I was after when we had our first coach’s planning meeting,” Erasmus said.
“Maybe we just don’t understand this. Maybe we just don’t have the insights of how these guys see us in the way we come across. I had a good discussion with him.”
Hurdles
A few hurdles are in the way of a potential appointment, but Erasmus remains hopeful that he can get his preferred target.
Owens is currently involved with mentoring referees and would need to step down from the position as it would be a conflict of interests. Meanwhile, Erasmus needs a final sign-off from SA Rugby executives.
“We must take those things to the [SA Rugby] steering committee and get them approved, but I had a discussion with him, and he explained his situation to me, and I explained to him why, how and from when I think he can help us,” he explained.
“He’s obviously got some personal things that he has to sort out, but I think within the next week or two, we will know through the steering committee and also Nigel in his personal; capacity if that’s a go-ahead or not. It would be great if it is.”