The profligacy of the South African Rugby Union has been Munster's gain this season. The Springboks are in disarray under Allister Coetzee, and defeat to Italy in November marked the nadir of a desperate year. While they bumble from one humiliation to another, they have allowed Rassie Erasmus leave and take the reigns of Munster, who he has guided to the top of the Pro 12 and to a home quarter-final in the Champions Cup.
Coetzee has yet to be sacked by the 'Boks, although it is widely expected that he will meet his fate soon enough, and media reports in South Africa went into overdrive linking Erasmus with an early return home to take the top job.
This was heightened by a report in Rapport, claiming that Munster would not stand in Erasmus' way should he wish to return home, along with another report that SuperSport TV would provide the financial backing necessary to buy Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber out of their contracts with Munster. The former report claimed that Munster would replace Erasmus with Ronan O'Gara, who admitted that he is eager to return home after yesterday's game at Thomond Park.
Erasmus, however, has denied the rumours, having been contacted by Rugby365.com. Via his lawyer:
We are not aware of it.
Rassie has a contract with Munster and won't come here to talk to people while he is doing so well at Munster.
He is very happy in Ireland and he doesn't have the interference there that happens here in South Africa. He has a long stint to go on what is a very good contract.
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