Rassie Erasmus has officially been appointed as SA Rugby’s new director of rugby.

He left South Africa a year ago to take up a position at Irish province Munster, but speculation surrounding his future has been rife in recent weeks with many reports linking him with a return to South African rugby.

On Friday, SA Rugby announced Erasmus had been appointed to fill its vacant director of rugby role, which will see the 44-year-old oversee the eight national teams; the participation and management of the national union’s 20 competitions as well as the development of players, coaches and referees.

Erasmus initially signed a three-year contract with Munster, but his employment term will be terminated on 31 December 2017 by mutual consent.

Additionally, Jacques Nienaber, who joined Munster alongside Erasmus, is also returning and will take up the position of high-performance coach within SA Rugby.

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said in a statement that the appointment of Erasmus will not impede Allister Coetzee’s position as Springbok coach.

‘Allister has done a great job to turn the Springboks around this season and I can categorically put to rest any idea that he is being replaced as Springbok coach,’ said Roux. ‘We will do everything in our power to support him for the Rugby Championship and everything that lies beyond that.’

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