Boks refuse to react to Lions bait
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks will do their talking between the “four lines” when they tackle the British & Irish Lions on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks will do their talking between the “four lines” when they tackle the British & Irish Lions on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
2009 Springbok squad members Pierre Spies and Bakkies Botha chat about the Rassie Erasmus ‘water boy’ controversy, saying all the media talk from the British & Irish Lions camp will only rev up the Springboks more ahead of the Test series.
Rassie Erasmus will be able to continue his role as a water carrier for the Springboks, but World Rugby have reportedly briefed officials to monitor the role he performs.
Head coach John Dobson has made several alterations to the Western Province team for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Sunday.
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has named a strong lineup for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
A former South African Test referee has said that British & Irish Lions’ criticism of local Marius Jonker being the TV match official for the first Test against South Africa is “blatant intimidation”.
Centre Lionel Mapoe has been included in the Bulls side that will be captained by Marcell Coetzee in their match against the Lions in Pretoria on Sunday.
Springbok great Schalk Burger believes that while the Springboks will miss Duane Vermeulen’s presence at No 8 in the first Test against the British & Irish Lions, Kwagga Smith’s qualities should not be underestimated.
No 8 Jack Conan, who was a surprise inclusion in the British & Irish Lions lineup for the first Test, says it was “surreal” hearing his name called out as a starter against world champion Springboks on Saturday.
Warren Gatland is reportedly furious that South African Marius Jonker, rather than a neutral official, has been appointed as the TMO for the Test series between the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks.