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Earlier this week, Gatland also claimed to have “dented the ego” of the Springboks by gaining the upper hand in the set-piece battle against South Africa ‘A’ last week. That statement drew short shrift from Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick who was happy to point to the 17-13 scoreline in South Africa’s favour. “They’ve dented our ego?” Stick asked. “We were happy as Springbok team. Once again, the most important stat from that game was the final score. We won the game so I’m not too sure what it is that they dented. I’m not a mind-games person. The game is going to be played within the four lines.
British & Irish Lions should take most heart from only loss ahead of Springboks Test ASSEMBLE a squad of players from scratch, work with them for a few weeks, then take on one of the greatest teams in the world in a best-of-three series. It sounds like the sort of fool’s errand that would be turned into a reality TV show these days, but it is in fact the formula that the British & Irish Lions have worked with since they first left our shores back in 1888. This year, as in their two previous visits to South Africa in 1997 and 2009, the Lions are playing a Springboks side who are the reigning world champions.
Jonker carries some baggage into the first of the three-test series, with all games to be played in Cape Town. Jonker was the TMO for the Lions’ only loss on this disrupted tour, and, in consultation with the South African referee Jaco Peyper, opted against sending off Faf de Klerk for a dangerous tackle on Josh Navidi in the game against South Africa A. Gatland was adamant a red card should have been issued, but De Klerk survived and the lively halfback will line out for the Boks against the Lions on Sunday (NZT).
Clay Cross
South African referee Marius Jonker will be keeping an eye on the Lions and Springboks.
British and Irish Lions furious at having South African TMO for first Test against Springboks
By Chris JonesBBC rugby union correspondent
Last updated on
Jonker was TMO when the Lions were beaten by South Africa A
The British and Irish Lions have been left furious at the decision to have a South African as the Television Match Official for the first Test against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Marius Jonker was chosen after New Zealander Brendon Pickerill was unable to travel because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lions forwards coach Robin McBryde said the side was only informed about the switch on Wednesday.