Rassie Erasmus' days as 'water boy' over as World Rugby trials new regulations

• World Rugby has approved a global trial limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play.
• This means Rassie Erasmus will no longer be able to act as "water boy" for the Springboks.
• The sport's governing body says the changes are to "improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages".

Rassie Erasmus' days as Springbok "water boy" appear to be over.

This comes after World Rugby on Tuesday approved a global trial "limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play during a match".

Erasmus raised eyebrows last year when he featured as a water carrier during the British & Irish Lions series in South Africa.

Erasmus wasn't a permanent fixture on the sidelines during the Rugby Championship, but returned to fulfil the role during South Africa's penultimate Test of 2021 against Scotland in Edinburgh.

World Rugby regulations had stipulated that only head coaches were prevented from being on-field, but the latest ruling will bar SA Rugby's director of rugby from performing the role in future.

The global governing body said in a statement that the new law trial would be operational from 1 July, 2022 - for all competitions and stand-alone matches.

A World Rugby statement read: "The trial aims to improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages without compromising welfare.

"The trial follows an extensive review by the international federation of the current elite rugby environment, including research into player hydration needs, and increasing disruption to play caused by multiple water carriers entering the field of play every time there is a stoppage.

"The new trial for non-medical personnel sets out a revised protocol for when medics and water-carriers, can access the field of play, limiting the ability to interact with the match officials, and providing a sanctioning framework for any action that that either interferes with play or is against the values of the sport.

"The aim of the trial is to improve the flow of the game, reduce the opportunity for potential interference, enhance the spectacle for fans and support match management by match officials. The trials have been devised in partnership with unions and key stakeholders, in particular International Rugby Players who are supporting the changes."

Mark Harrington, the chief player welfare and rugby services officer at World Rugby, commented: "Helping the game to flow better whilst not compromising on the welfare of players is a key aim of these trials. We're taking concrete action to improve the flow of rugby matches, this will be the first time teams on the field of play could be sanctioned by the actions of those not directly involved in the contest.

"We've received feedback from across the game that the number of people who aren't players, interrupting the flow of the game was getting out of hand. But we needed to tackle the issue without impacting on the welfare of players and providing them with everything needed to perform at the highest level. I'd like to thank all our partners and stakeholders who have helped us strike the right balance with this new trial."

Christian Day from England's Rugby Players Association added: "Players' views are of the utmost importance and so it was vital to be able to contribute some of the viewpoints we were given around non-playing individuals entering the field of play and how this has evolved within the modern game.  

"We feel that a common-sense position has been reached which should not have a negative impact on player welfare while hopefully reducing unnecessary stoppages and potential negative flashpoints during matches."