Rassie Erasmus isn't one to let criticism slide under the rug, especially when it comes from Matt Williams. After Williams threw shade at the Springboks' 2021 British & Irish Lions series victory, calling it “the worst games of international rugby” he's ever seen, Erasmus clapped back with a snarky retort on social media.
Williams, who once steered Scotland, didn't hold back during his chat on Off The Ball. He lambasted the series for its lackluster play and controversial off-field antics.
"The way that both management teams conducted themselves was disgraceful,"
he commented. He was particularly miffed about Erasmus, the South African director of rugby, moonlighting as a water carrier and the infamous leaked video that took a jab at the referees. Williams summarized the Boks' gameplay strategy as nothing more than booting the ball and chasing after it, a tactic he deemed not only boring but also contrary to the true spirit of rugby.Contrasting this with the more recent Lions tour led by Andy Farrell in Australia, Williams praised the exhilarating, risk-filled approach that marked the 2025 series.
"From the first second, Farrell and his coaching staff made the Lions play a running game. They took chances, made errors – but it was entertaining. It was fabulous to watch,"
Williams enthused.Never one to let the grass grow under his feet in these situations, Erasmus took to X (formerly Twitter), delivering a short but sharp comeback that left little doubt about his disdain for Williams’ critique. Alongside a post that simply read “Heal Sir Matt,” the undertone of sarcasm was unmistakable, pointing out perhaps that Williams might need a bit of 'healing' from his bitterness against the Springboks' strategies.
Williams has been vocal in the past about his distaste for the Boks' so-called 'Bomb Squad' - a tactic involving a powerful bench, which he feels compromises the integrity and safety of the game. Despite his repeated criticisms, World Rugby has not moved to ban the practice, indicating perhaps that not everyone sees it through the same lens as Williams.
The banter between Williams and Erasmus underscores a deeper rift in rugby philosophy—between preserving traditional gameplay and adapting to strategies that might stretch the spirit of the game but aim to secure a win. As the dust settles on social media, the debate is far from over, and fans are left weighing the cost of victory against the beauty of the game.