Erasmus has been characteristically candid about Jeremy Ward's imminent switch to France, making clear there's no bitterness from the Bok camp — but also no regret, because Ward was never on their depth chart to begin with. Erasmus frames it simply: they track players globally, Ward didn't make the cut for consideration, and if France want him, good luck to him. The broader point Erasmus makes is worth noting — he finds it inconsistent that player switches draw scrutiny while coaching moves across borders (Jones, Rennie, Gatland) barely raise an eyebrow.
The more revealing detail sits in the contrast with Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Unlike Ward, Erasmus confirms there was genuine Bok interest in the Bristol centre — he wanted to cap him — but was blocked after SA Rugby had already committed to World Rugby that they wouldn't pursue him. That admission sheds light on how selection decisions sometimes operate above the coaching level, and how England may have benefited from an administrative promise rather than a pure rugby call.