Middle man.

Rassie Erasmus does not want to be pulled into a tug-of-war between Munster and South Africa over Johann van Graan.

The Springboks assistant coach has been heavily linked with replacing Erasmus at Munster, a situation that has conflicting interests for Erasmus. One one hand Erasmus wants to help Munster attract a suitable replacement, but understandably he also wants the best coaches to remain with the Springboks for when he eventually takes over.

On Saturday following Munster’s win over Cardiff, Erasmus said: “I’m not sure the Springboks would let him go, he is a really brilliant coach,” when asked about van Graan possibly replacing him. Boks coach Allister Coetzee reacted angrily the same day when asked about van Graan, stating that it’s all rubbish and he’s going nowhere.

At yesterday’s Champions Cup launch, Erasmus was asked what would he say if the Springboks asked Erasmus for a seal of approval to let Van Graan leave, to which he replied:

“I would ask them not to put me in that position, it would be unfair and I would be compromising one of the two employers,” Erasmus said

“That’s why I asked them not to contact me about stuff like this. Obviously, I’m currently working for Munster and if they asked for my input initially I would give it to them because I know most of the guys they’ve interviewed, so that’s exactly why I didn’t want to be in this position because I would compromise somebody.”

While there’s clearly a conflict of interest, Erasmus maintains there isn’t.

I’m not sure why they’d be concerned (about a conflict) because I’m working my arse off trying to help Munster win. If that slacks in any way there should be a concern. If we’re not working as hard and training as hard and preparing as hard then there should be a concern but other than that I can promise you that’s not the case.

“I’m not involved at any level currently with South Africa. I just watched a Test match but apart from that I’ve got no connection with them currently.”

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[The42.ie]