News24.com | CJ Stander understands Rassie ‘water boy’ ban, but questions effect: ‘Always ways around it’

Rassie Erasmus on “water boy” duties at Murrayfield. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

• SA’s former Ireland star CJ Stander “understands” why World Rugby has implemented a trial to stop Rassie Erasmus’ “water boy” days, but is sceptical whether it will truly be clamped down.
• In fact, the recently retired flanker believes the presence of non-medical personnel – coaches most of the time – on the sidelines are of benefit to the game. 
• Stander says he benefitted a lot from having a coach give him advice or a new perspective during a match.

CJ Stander, South African rugby’s most famous export to Ireland, is sympathetic towards World Rugby’s plan to clamp down on Rassie Erasmus and others acting as “water boys” during matches, but doesn’t believe it will eliminate the issue – if it can even be considered a problem.

The governing body earlier this week approved a global trial limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play, specifically adding “director of rugby” as one of the titles now prohibited from carrying o