Matt Williams has accused Rassie Erasmus of “bullying” him after the Springbok coach hit back at the former Scotland boss on social media.

Williams has long been critical of the Boks’ tactics and Erasmus’ Bomb Squad in particular. Earlier this month, the Australian slammed the Boks’ 2021 Test series against the British & Irish Lions.

“It was one of the worst tours ever, the worst games of international rugby I think I’ve ever seen,” Williams told Off the Ball. “The way both management teams conducted themselves was disgraceful. Rassie was running on the field as a water carrier, there was a leaked video criticising referees … the style of rugby was an abomination.”

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Erasmus hit back on X, posting Williams’ 17.65% win record with Scotland, noting that only three of his 17 matches were victories – two against tier-two nations.

His caption read: “Heal Sir Matt.”

Williams replied: “Hi Rassie, playing the man and not the ball again? Always the sign of weak argument.”

Speaking on Off the Ball after the spat, the 65-year-old said: “Really, what Rassie was doing was just bullying me. Just trying to say: ‘Well, your opinion doesn’t count.’ It didn’t address the issue. Surely the best coach in the world’s got something better to do than listen to what I’m saying.”

Williams admitted he was blindsided by the post: “My son rang me up and said: ‘What did you say about Rassie Erasmus?’ I said: ‘I was talking about the Lions … what do you mean?’”

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Williams said he had celebrated Australia’s shock 38-22 win over the Boks at Ellis Park after sleeping through their famous comeback.

“[The match] started just after midnight here. When it was 22-0, I went to bed. I woke up in the morning, put the radio on and the Wallabies won – I said: ‘This can’t be true’.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Moaning Matt: Rassie’s a bully appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

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