Erasmus' social media presence under suspicion over a burner account
Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been one of rugby’s high-profile adopters of social media, starting a Twitter account in the wake of South Africa’s successful World Cup campaign in 2019.
At first, the super coach shared behind-the-scenes snippets of the national camp, sharing inspirational speeches from inside the changing sheds to give fans a look into the man at the head of the Springboks.
In 2021, the coach has used the platform to voice his opinions and fire back at journalists over differences of opinion.
In the lead-up to the first test against the British and Irish Lions, the coach used his account to respond to Warren Gatland’s concerns over Faf de Klerk’s high shot in the South Africa ‘A’ clash.
He tweeted videos of tackles by Owen Farrell in the same match, asking for clarity over the Lions’ suspect shots as well in a passive-aggressive manner that shocked Warren Gatland.
Now the former coach and water boy is under suspicion for using a burner account – a fake profile used to voice opinions that one would be unwilling to express publicly – in order to highlight instances the Springboks were unhappy with in their series-opening defeat to the Lions on Saturday.
Rassie Erasmus using a burner account very badly is the best rugby story of the year so far.
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) July 25, 2021
I mean, yes, it certainly seems like Rassie Erasmus is RTing his secret alt account and having a conversation with himself in the process… but what would I know about Rassie having conversations with Rassie?
— Josh Gardner (@joshgardner) July 25, 2021
In the wake of South Africa’s defeat to the Lions, Erasmus retweeted a video from an anonymous account that compiled a video of calls that went against the Springboks, replying to the account saying: “Thanks. This is rugby – sometimes calls go for you and other times they don’t”.
Other Twitter users began speculating that the account sharing the video was Rassie himself, using a burner account to air out his grievances and pretending to have a conversation with himself.
Thanks. This is rugby – sometimes calls go for you and other times they dont https://t.co/ONZp0uoWJF
— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) July 25, 2021
Popular YouTuber Squidge Rugby detailed the reasons why the suspicious account could be Rassie’s burner, one of which being the account had never tweeeted anything before responding to the head coach with the video compilation.
Additionally, the account had zero followers was able to access high-quality, un-watermarked footage that would be easily obtained by team management.
My favourite thing about this whole saga is how obvious it is that Jaco Johan is also Rassie. pic.twitter.com/OO7AdydCVR
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) July 25, 2021
The account had 0 followers and had never tweeted when he first RT’d it, and exclusively posts really high-quality and well-edited footage of controversial incidents Erasmus might want to bring to public light. The sheer, beautiful shithousery of it just makes me love him more.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) July 25, 2021
Another user highlighted the account’s only activity over the five years since the account was created, 15 liked tweets, were all engagements with teams that Erasmus was involved with at the time.
bahahahaha 15 liked tweets and they’re all from teams he was involved with at the time ffs ?? pic.twitter.com/iMQ8M2QVMX
— J (@boy_barkley) July 25, 2021
Fans on the thread were not impressed with Erasmus’ two-faced approach of retweeting the video but still parading around like he was taking the high ground.
This ugly episode comes after Erasmus had praised the Lions for their win on his official account, declaring their were “no excuses” and praising the opposition for their win.
One user wrote, “This is embarrassing from SA Rugby”, while others saw right through the shielded approach from Erasmus to try and highlight various instances from the match.
This is truly embarrassing from SA rugby. You lost, accept it and get back to the drawing board and come back stronger next week.
— Guff Roberts (@GuffRoberts) July 25, 2021
“But I’m definitely not highlighting them by quoting the tweet and hoping we get the officials onside next week. I am still being gracious in defeat”
— John (@JWebs_11) July 25, 2021
@hull_sieff @CharlieJEllis @andyrobinson110 “Thanks you totally reputable and identifiable source, I’ll just helpfully draw visibility to your theory but carefully distance myself from the sentiment to maintain the higher ground”
— David Macfarlane ??? (@DigitalDaveMac) July 25, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
It’ll be very interesting to see how Razor’s AB’s handle the new England rush D. It’s basically the Bok recipe they copied, so if England goes well then we know most likely the Boks will go well too. If England cops a hiding then we’ll have to study and adapt.
4 Go to commentsTypical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
2 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
4 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
2 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
4 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to comments