{
  "id": 4782914,
  "title": "Rassie Erasmus claps back at Dave Rennie again over scrum whine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/rassie-erasmus-claps-back-at-dave-rennie-again-over-scrum-whine",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T03:57:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/erasmus-claps-rennie-again-scrum-whine/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus fired back at All Blacks coach Dave Rennie regarding the ongoing scrum controversy before the third Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test at the FNB Stadium in Soweto. Speaking at the team announcement on Monday, Erasmus expressed his frustration over the All Blacks' attempts to influence the referees through the media. He had been quite passionate and expletive-laden in his defense after the win in Cape Town on Saturday night. However, Erasmus sounded calmer and more measured on Monday when explaining why the All Blacks and Rennie's actions were dangerous. Erasmus emphasized that his frustration stemmed from opinions being presented as facts, and that there were clear protocols for raising concerns with World Rugby's officiating system. He warned against talking to referees through the media, as he had been \"burned by that before.\" Erasmus reiterated that the Boks have always scrummed legally, and it has always benefited them. He stated that it wouldn't make sense for them to start scrumming illegally when they already have a fair advantage. Erasmus also expressed his confidence in Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli, who was brought in to officiate after the second Test due to flu, and praised his knowledge of scrums.",
  "summary": "The narrative around the Springboks' scrumming tactics is starting to frustrate Bok boss Rassie Erasmus.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Irate Erasmus rubbishes Rennie’s ‘walking around’ claims at scrums",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/irate-erasmus-rubbishes-rennies-walking-around-claims-at-scrums",
        "published": "2026-08-29T20:28:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Erasmus relieved the pressure flipped onto Rennie after tying Springboks-All Blacks series",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/erasmus-relieved-the-pressure-flipped-onto-rennie-after-tying",
        "published": "2026-08-29T20:38:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Irate Erasmus rubbishes Rennie's 'walking around' claims at scrums",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/irate-erasmus-rubbishes-rennies-walking-around-claims-at-scrums",
        "published": "2026-08-30T03:29:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}