Lions Tour

Skinstad: Rassie’s always been innovative

Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad believes that while Rassie Erasmus’ controversial video was a risky move, South Africa’s director of rugby ‘has got a point’ regarding officiating inconsistencies.

Referee Nic Berry and Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones

Smit: ‘Genius’ Jones was ‘on a date’ with ref

British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones was “an absolute genius” in the way he courted referee Nic Berry last week, according to former Springbok captain John Smit.

Watch: Smit shares thoughts on controversial Rassie video

South Africa’s most capped skipper John Smit has highlighted the potential pitfalls of Erasmus’ video while conceding that both team’s coaching staff have fallen foul of influencing match officials in both Test match weeks.

Lions skipper: Refs have hardest job in rugby

British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones reacted on Thursday to South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus’ criticism of the refereeing in the first Test by saying “match officials have the hardest job in rugby”.

WATCH: Rassie clears the air

Rassie Erasmus released a video about the back and forth battle between him and Warren Gatland, the match officials, and goes through some clips where the Springboks were on the wrong the end of refereeing decisions.

Cape Town , South Africa - 24 July 2021; South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus speaks to his players during the first test of the British and Irish Lions tour match between South Africa and British and Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo By Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Rassie calls for fairness: I’ll step away if need be

Rassie Erasmus says he would be willing to step away from SA Rugby’s management team for the final two Tests of the British & Irish Lions series if it would result in fairness and clarity from World Rugby over officiating questions.

Poll: How do you feel about the Erasmus video?

Following SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus’ hour-long video, highlighting officiating discrepancies, SARugbymag.co.za gives readers the chance to have their say on whether this was the right way to show up the inconsistencies.

Watch: Illegal scrumming & mauling (1st Test)

Jonathan Mokuena picks out a few moments at scrum and maul time where he believes the British & Irish Lions engaged in illegal tactics in the first Test against the Springboks.

South Africa A Lions Springboks PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 02: Jasper Wiese of South Africa looks on during the Rugby Union international match between South Africa and Georgia at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on July 02, 2021 in Pretoria, South Africa.

Springboks vs Lions: Players to watch (Round 2)

SARugbymag.co.za looks at the players to watch as the Springboks and British & Irish Lions face off in the potentially decisive second Test of the series in Cape Town on Saturday.

Faf de Klerk of South Africa during the 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour first test between South Africa and BI Lions at Cape Town Stadium on 24 July 2021 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Watch: Boks’ kicking & countering (1st Test)

Swys de Bruin has questioned whether the Springboks’ kicking game off Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard is something they should persist with for the second Test against the British & Irish Lions.