Rassie Erasmus accused of ‘next level mafia don stuff’ ahead of All Blacks clash
- Rassie Erasmus delivers verdict after Springboks stunned by All Blacks - August 22, 2026
- Full player ratings as All Blacks defeat Springboks in opening Test - August 22, 2026
- All Blacks forced into late change ahead of Springboks series opener - August 22, 2026
Don Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus has been accused of taking his pre-match tactics to “next level mafia don stuff” as the build-up to Saturday’s opening Test between the Springboks and All Blacks intensifies.
New Zealand pundit Scotty Stevenson has taken issue with the Springboks boss’ approach to the ongoing debate surrounding referees ahead of the Ellis Park showdown.
The subject has dominated much of the build-up after All Blacks coach Dave Rennie called for officials to clamp down on what he believes is tactical time-wasting.
Erasmus responded earlier this week alongside former Test referee and current Springboks assistant Jaco Peyper, with the pair addressing the laws surrounding the speed at which teams must form scrums and lineouts.
Stevenson believes there is plenty to admire about Erasmus’ commitment to the psychological side of coaching, but feels the situation becomes problematic when referees are potentially placed under additional pressure.
“It’s amazing to me how quickly people want to swallow the Kool-Aid,” Stevenson said on Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
“I think where it gets problematic for me is when it spills over into intimidation, when you understand that referees are under intense scrutiny.”
Stevenson acknowledged that New Zealand supporters have also been guilty of directing their anger towards officials in the past, referencing the reaction to Wayne Barnes.
He also pushed back against the suggestion that the debate is simply about New Zealand wanting a fast game and South Africa attempting to slow it down, pointing out that he has seen the Springboks produce excellent attacking rugby.
Instead, his concern centres on the referee becoming such a significant part of the conversation before the Test has even begun.
“And then to wheel out a very experienced referee [Peyper] very intentionally in that moment to make a counterargument against the All Blacks is next level mafia don stuff.”
Matthew Carley will take charge of Saturday’s encounter, and Stevenson believes the English official has now been placed in an extremely difficult position regardless of how he handles the contest.
“We’ve made the referee the centre point of the week. The rhetoric from both camps, the reporting in the press and media and suddenly all the onus is on the referee,” he said.
“It’s an important job, and there are going to be calls which will displease both sides of the fanbase here, but I am wary of playing this game through the media for the game itself because I think you leave the officials on a hiding to nothing.”
The comments add another layer to an increasingly fascinating build-up to the first of four Tests between rugby’s two great rivals.
South Africa and New Zealand meet at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Carley now finding himself firmly in the spotlight before a ball has even been kicked.
