Rassie Erasmus

World Rugby has reportedly conceded that SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was justified in the claims he made during a sensational 62-minute video in which he criticised match officials. ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Rassie Erasmus stokes pre-British & Irish Lions tension with social media posts

Tensions continue to simmer ahead of the Springboks v British & Irish Lions Test series after SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus flagged two controversial tackles by Owen Farrell.

Rassie Erasmus

World Rugby has reportedly conceded that SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was justified in the claims he made during a sensational 62-minute video in which he criticised match officials. ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Tensions continue to simmer ahead of the Springboks v British & Irish Lions Test series after SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus flagged two controversial tackles by Owen Farrell.

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Rassie Erasmus used social media to hit back at British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland for condemning a dangerous challenge made by Faf de Klerk on Josh Navidi at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

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Erasmus posted footage of England captain Farrell leading with the shoulder when making contact with Jasper Wiese and then bringing down De Klerk himself with what appears to be a high tackle.

It comes the day after Gatland said he would seek clarification from officials over the De Klerk hit on Navidi, suggesting it should have been a red card.

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“It looked reckless to me. No arms and he’s hit the arm first and then the shoulder, but there’s definitely head-on-head contact,” said Gatland of a moment that was reviewed by referee Jaco Peyper and the TMO.

But alongside a video of Farrell tackling Wiese, Erasmus tweeted: “While you at it please get clarity on this also!! (Red circle and yellow circle emojis) penalty or play on? We have to [be] 100% sure and aligned! Cant agree more.”

And with the second clip of De Klerk being hauled down, he added: “If there is time maybe also get absolute clarity and alignment on this one please, I know its way after the whistle, but let’s just align and get clarity to be sure.”

It continues the escalating war of words between Erasmus and Gatland ahead of the first Test in Cape Town on July 24.

On Monday, Erasmus appeared to rile Gatland when he said the tourists “won’t be afraid or scared” to face the shadow Springboks again on Saturday instead of scheduled opponents the Stormers.

Gatland continued to reject that idea after Erasmus made another attempt to revive it.

“I think he was trying to wind us up saying we’re scared. Sometimes he’s capable of doing that. I don’t see it as our role to prepare them for the Test series,” said Gatland the morning after the Lions had lost 17-13 to South Africa ‘A’.

Gatland aimed an additional swipe at his rival when he joked that Erasmus’ pretence as a water boy at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, complete with hi-vis bib saying ‘H2O’, was undermined by the fact he did not actually carry any water.

Instead, the mastermind of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup triumph dispensed advice to his players.

READ | WARREN GATLAND POKES FUN AT ‘WATER BOY’ RASSIE ERASMUS

“He was the water boy running on the pitch – if you’re the water boy running on to the pitch you’ve got make sure you’re carrying water!” Gatland said.

“I didn’t understand what his role was – you don’t run onto the pitch giving messages as the water boy without carrying water. My advice to him is to make sure he’s carrying water next time he does that.”