SOUTH AFRICA rugby legend Rassie Erasmus is recovering in hospital from “chemical burns” following a “freak accident”.
The 51-year-old suffered the damage to his hands in an incident involving a potent detergent product.
SA Rugby then revealed that the Springboks director of rugby had been hospitalised with the burns.
However, they stated that they expected him to return to work “within weeks”.
A statement said: “Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s director of rugby, is recovering in hospital following a medical procedure for chemical burns sustained in a freak accident using a powerful detergent product.
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“He is otherwise in good health and expects to return to full-time working within weeks.”
Erasmus enjoys icon status in his homeland after guiding South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory.
He won 36 caps for his country during his playing days as a flanker and represented them at the 1999 showpiece.
Erasmus then worked with Free State Cheetahs, Western Province after turning to coaching and he also had a spell as adviser to the South Africa national team.
He also enjoyed a stint as director of rugby at Irish side Munster before becoming head coach of South Africa in 2018.
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That saw him double up on his duties as SARU director of rugby, a role he had taken up the previous year.
Erasmus then led the Springboks to the 2019 Rugby World Cup as they beat England in the final.
He then switched back to a sole role of director of rugby, the position he still holds today.
