I would say being number one on the rugby rankings is a no-go for the World Cup. It doesn't mean anything in the knock-out format.
Erasmus was never appointed as Head Coach of the Springboks. In 2018 he was appointed as Director of Rugby - leaving the Head Coach position empty. What happened then is what is happening now. In 2018 he indicated that he would be resonsible for the coaching of the3 Springboks as well. That is the factual position still.
In terms of his contract with SARU he is not going to breach his contract with SARU which was extended until 2025 already. What the newspapers and site members miss out on is that until he decides otherwise he will himself take on the coaching reponsibility as well - same as he did in 2018 and 2019.
In fact that is exactly the position at present. He is still Director of Rugby and will remain that until he ends his career with SARU. He will probably have his position of Director of Rugby extended to 2028 and he will decide who would be appointed as Head Coach anytime he decided on whom shall be appointed as such... Until then he will be undertaking both functions. The story of him being appointed as Head Coach is a media distortion . .
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Rassie will need to start slowly rebuilding. Can the Boks win a third consecutive RWC? Imagine if that happened. Doos and Mozzz would never survive it.
Unfortunately all this means we will have to put up with their never ending drivel for another 4 years.