World Cup-winning South African coach Rassie Erasmus has been suspended two months after a video was released criticizing the referees’ decisions, World Rugby reported on Wednesday.

Erasmus, who rose to director of rugby with South Africa following the 2019 World Cup victory, posted a 62-minute video slamming the role played by official Nic Berry in the team’s first loss. test in July against the British and Irish Lions.

In his testimony, Berry – a former Super Rugby half-back – said he felt “Mr. Erasmus engaged in an assassination of my personality on social media” and that his “reputation as a referee and as a person will be forever tarnished ”.

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World Rugby has brought half a dozen charges against former international rower Erasmus for various breaches of the organization’s regulations.

“An independent misconduct committee found that the behavior displayed by SA Rugby Rugby Director Rassie Erasmus towards match officials during this year’s test series between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions constituted misconduct, “World Rugby said in a statement.

“After reviewing all of the evidence, including oral evidence from match officials, Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby, World Rugby, and parties’ submissions, the committee found all six charges against Mr. Erasmus to be proven.”

The organization added that Erasmus had “discredited the game when it published or had the Erasmus video published”.

Erasmus was also suspended from “all match day activities” including training, contact with match officials and media functions until September 30, 2022.

He is set to miss the resumption of the 2019 final with England at Twickenham this weekend, as well as next summer’s test series and much of the rugby championship due to the decision.

South Africa Rugby was fined £ 20,000 ($ 27,000) on two counts.

The misconduct committee found that SA Rugby had failed to ensure that Erasmus follows the rules of the world body.

Moreover, they did not prevent Springboks captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick from making comments at a press conference “which were neither disciplined nor athletic”.

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SA Rugby and Erasmus have announced they will appeal the decision.

“Both sides have confirmed that they will exercise their right to appeal the verdicts,” they said.

“Neither party will be making any further comments until the process is complete.”