Munster appoint Erasmus as director of rugby

3:09 PM GMT

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  Tom HamiltonRugby Editor

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  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Grew up in Bath but has New Zealand roots
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Rassie Erasmus has been confirmed as Munster's new director of rugby on a three-year deal.

Erasmus, who won 36 caps for the Springboks, joins Munster after stints with the Cheetahs, Stormers and a role as South Africa's high performance manager.

"It is a huge honour to have been appointed by Munster Rugby in the newly created role of director of rugby," Erasmus said with him taking up the post on Jul. 1. "It is an opportunity which comes with a huge responsibility not only to the club who has a proud 137-year history, but also the supporters and the wider community.

"It is a challenge which I humbly accepted but with a clear desire to use all my past experience as a player, coach and administrative High Performance manager, to make Munster Rugby one of the top rugby clubs in Europe.

"The decision was ultimately a personal one which I made with my family in what we believe is the right time and without a doubt the best Club to experience something different as part of our personal goals we have set."

Munster are yet to confirm whether Erasmus will bring in his backroom staff with current head coach Michael Foley contracted until 2017.

Of Erasmus' role, Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said: "The director of rugby role will lead Munster's senior team, academy and coaches to deliver Munster's Strategic Plan with ultimate responsibility for team performance and results. The role will have overall responsibility for defining on field strategy and ensuring its implementation."

He added: "In recruiting Rassie we are securing the services of a world-class individual who was the stand out candidate for this newly created position.

"In addition to his extensive playing and coaching experience Rassie's current role has afforded him the opportunity to develop his skill-set further, garnering invaluable knowledge and expertise while implementing an all-encompassing rugby programme which will be key to this role."

Erasmus will take up his new position with Munster after the Springboks' June Test series against Ireland and SARU CEO Jurie Roux has paid tribute to him.

"I'd like to thank Rassie for the massive contribution he has made in establishing the rugby department and ensuring SA Rugby remain leaders on and off the field," said Roux. "It will be difficult to replace Rassie, but we'll make an appointment in due course.

"The rugby department is functioning extremely well with experts at all levels ensuring the department runs smoothly on a daily basis.

"Hopefully this will not be the end of Rassie's contribution to rugby in South Africa. He's done so much, as a player, team manager and coach for various teams in South Africa, and in the last four years at SA Rugby. We'd like to wish him well for his future endeavours."

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Munster appoint Erasmus as director of rugby