It is claimed the South African is set to return to his native country.

There were many reports at the end of Munster’s season claiming that director of rugby Rassie Erasmus had informed the players that he would be staying on with the province. However it’s being reported today that a return to South Africa for Erasmus may become reality sooner than hoped.

According to the Irish Independent, Munster are expecting Erasmus to hand in his six-month notice which he is allowed to do due to a clause in his contract similar to that of Pat Lam at Connacht.

The paper said:

‘Fears are continuing to grow that Rassie Erasmus will not see out the remaining two years of his Munster contract, with the Springboks increasingly confident that they can lure him back into their system’.

‘The Irish Independent understands that Erasmus has triggered the six-months’ notice clause in his contract that will allow him return to South Africa to become their director of rugby’.

It became clear by April that the South African Rugby Union were actively looking to bring Rassie Erasmus back into their coaching fold with the future of current head coach Allister Coetzee in doubt.

For a Munster side that have made so much progress this season, it would represent a huge blow. While many believed Rassie’s return to be inevitable, it was hoped that the province could hold on to the South African for a few more years.

The suggestion that defence coach Jacques Nienaber will be going with back to South Africa to join Erasmus with the South African team will also do little to cheer up the mood of Munster fans this morning.

To read the full report click here.