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Warren Gatland calls out South Africa's dark arts ahead of Lions third Test decider

Daniel Schofield
·14-min read
England captain Owen Farrell has been dropped from the Lions matchday squad in a number of changes - GETTY IMAGES
England captain Owen Farrell has been dropped from the Lions matchday squad in a number of changes - GETTY IMAGES

Warren Gatland will urge the officials to clamp down on South Africa’s time-wasting tactics after unveiling a team for the decisive Lions third Test agaist South Africa designed to run the Springboks off their feet. The Lions head coach also warned his team against getting drawn into niggly battles against the Springboks.

Just as he did when Australia levelled the series in 2013, Gatland has made six changes for the decider. In the backline, full back Liam Williams, wing Josh Adams and centre Bundee Aki make their first Test starts of the tour while Ali Price is restored at scrum-half. Prop Wyn Jones and hooker Ken Owens also beef up the pack. On the bench, the inclusion of Scotland playmaker Finn Russell and English No 8 Sam Simmonds demonstrates Gatland’s desire to go for broke. Tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler is also named as a replacement after being cleared of a biting charge.

Meanwhile the likes of England captain Owen Farrell, who was in line to win his 100th cap, Scotland captain Stuart Hogg and Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau drop out of the matchday squad following the fractious 27-9 defeat to South Africa that lasted more than two hours.

While 14 minutes of that extra time was accounted for by the television match official, Marius Jonker, checking a number of controversial incidents, Gatland believes South Africa cynically slowed the game down to benefit their power-based game. Both sides were criticised for what All Blacks head coach Ian Foster described as a “slugfest”, but Gatland insists the Lions want to play rugby, which he will put across to referee Mathieu Raynal on Thursday.

“We definitely want to play more rugby and we just didn’t get that opportunity in the second half,” Gatland said. “We felt like that at every scrum there was an injury, slowing the game down,” Gatland said. “We want to keep the tempo of the game up to get the ball in at our scrums and get the ball in quickly at line-outs, to play and to get a flow. And South Africa at the moment don’t want to do that. Everything is so stop-start that it does make it frustrating.

“I know Alun Wyn Jones was talking to the referee on a number of occasions about keeping it going. We had stud changes, we had TMO decisions, we had the referee stopping the game for cramp. So that will be one of the things I talk to the referees this week.

“We need to make sure we can’t have 60-odd minute halves. I think it’s important that we keep the game flow of the game, and as much from a spectator point of view.”

Another theme was the amount of niggle in the match with Ben O’Keeffe warning both sides as early as the third minute when Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth got into the face of Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones. There were further fracas throughout the match, which Gatland feels played into South Africa’s hands and he has urged his team to keep their cool in the face of any provocation on Saturday.

Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones confront each other during the 2nd Test between South Africa and the British & Irish Lions at FNB Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  - GETTY IMAGES
Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones confront each other during the 2nd Test between South Africa and the British & Irish Lions at FNB Stadium on July 31, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. - GETTY IMAGES

“I think we got a little bit embroiled in the pushing and shoving and we need to stay away from that because we’ve got to concentrate on the rugby and let the referee make the decisions,” Gatland said. “We need to make sure we’re not grabbing and holding each other, with guys running in, pushing players in the back and those sorts of things. I don’t think the game needs that. I know everyone is on edge, and there’s a little bit of pushing and shoving at times but we’ve got to ignore that and make sure we get on and play the game properly. We need to be focused. That’ll be the message to the players this week.”

Despite numerous flashpoints, only Sinckler was cited from the match, after being accused of biting Franco Mostert, the South Africa forward. While Gatland was relieved that Sinckler will be available for the third Test, he expressed his anger that the Lions have been dragged into the mud by Rassie Erasmus’ video hitjob on referee Nic Berry. World Rugby on Tuesday night belatedly confirmed they would investigate the South African union and their director of rugby, but also warned the Lions of their conduct.

“The only thing I'm disappointed about in World Rugby's statement is that they've kind of inadvertently dragged us into it,” Gatland said. “We've tried to, we think, maintain as much integrity as we can, in terms of we haven't been commenting on refereeing. We never questioned the TMO. The only question we asked is why hadn't World Rugby put a contingency plan in place if people couldn't travel or got sick.

“We've looked through everything and we can't see any instances where we've been critical of the officials. In fact, I think we've praised the officials. Every four years there's a World Cup and I think the next biggest thing on the world rugby calendar is the Lions. You don't want to be in a position where any of the match officials can be potentially criticised or questioned.”

12:08 PM

Springboks team confirmed

11:55 AM

Nienaber on changes, De Allende 50th cap, Morné

Changes

Pieter-Steph du Toit was ruled out due to the shoulder injury he suffered last week, but we are fortunate to have experienced players such as Franco and Lood who can step in and who have the physical presence we need in those roles.

Cobus is also an experienced player with a calm head and who can handle pressure, and we believe he will be able to dictate play well alongside Handré Pollard, while Herschel Jantjies has been great in adding the necessary spark we need off the bench, and will be asked to fulfil that role again.

De Allende

We are excited for Damian and we know what it will mean to him and the team to win this match. He has been a key figure in the Bok team in the last few seasons and it gives us great pride to see him achieve this feat.

Morné Steyn

I am delighted for Morné – he is a world class player and his work ethic and positive attitude on and off the field since joining the team in Bloemfontein has been impressive. He can also perform under extreme pressure, as he shown for the Springboks and the Bulls, and that skill will be invaluable in such a vital Test.

11:46 AM

Have half an eye on the Springboks presser

Head coach Jacques Nienaber and scrum-half Cobus Reinach are up.

Nienaber and Reinach
Nienaber and Reinach

Confirmed: Lood de Jager, Cobus Reinach into the starting XV. Morné Steyn on the bench.

Franco Mostert moves to six (will wear seven). No Duane Vermeulen. Boks back to a 5-3.

11:42 AM

Latest from Gatland on Erasmus

11:38 AM

Update on Sinckler hearing

11:38 AM

There was a slight Springbok team leak

Confirmed in a few minutes but seems as though two doubts from the second Test may not make it. Confirmed shortly.

11:31 AM

Springboks name their side in 15 minutes

Few whispers of Morné Steyn being involved. Oh boy. Hold on to your 2009 tour therapy pillow.

11:24 AM

Simmonds

The topping on a quite remarkable season for the Exeter Chiefs No 8. Didn't think we were going to see him in this Test series but the fact that Gatland is backing on him to bring that elusive ball-carrying we've seen in recent years into the biggest game of his life is really intriguing.

11:10 AM

Crikey

Some fascinating picks there. Williams, Adams, Price and Wyn Jones were expected, as was Aki to an extent in for Harris. But the Owens call is a bit of a surprise after the way the Lions' lineout struggled in the second half battling against Etzebeth-De Jager-Mostert.

But it's the bench which is the real talking point. Beard can help the Lions' set-piece. Simmonds and Russell meanwhile feel like 'go for broke' selections with the Lions trying to make something happen later on. Quite fascinating.

A word below on Iain Henderson, who's such a brute of a competitor that it made sense for him to come in.

11:06 AM

Gatland's thoughts

The matchday 23 have an incredibly special opportunity in front of them – to seal a Lions Series victory in South Africa.

It doesn’t get much bigger than this and we’re excited by the challenge that faces us on Saturday.

We’ve no excuses from last week, the Springboks put us under pressure in the second half and deserved the win. We have to be much better than that second half performance, and I believe we will be.

11:02 AM

In, bench, dropped

In: Williams, Adams, Aki, Price, Wyn Jones, Owens

Benched: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Murray

Dropped from 23: Hogg, Watson, Harris, Sutherland, Beirne, Faletau, Farrell

11:00 AM

LIONS TEAM FOR THIRD TEST AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales)
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England)
5. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (Ospreys, Wales)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England)
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England), 17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England), 18. *Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) – subject to outcome of disciplinary hearing, 19. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales), 20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England), 21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland), 22. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland), 23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England)

10:51 AM

Ten minutes to go then

Biggest areas that would have been addressed:

  • Adding more security under the high ball in the back three

  • Fix up the set-piece

  • Add fresh legs into the back row?

10:43 AM

The Bomb Squad are back

South Africa's bench didn't make the impact we were expecting in the first Test. They most certainly did however one week later. A look at why South Africa's replacement forwards were so crucial to the Springboks' success. Lood de Jager's some player.

10:34 AM

I've seen the team

And I'll say is - blimey. Comes out at midday.

10:30 AM

Latest episode from inside the Lions camp

10:24 AM

Will the Lions spice up their attack?

It's been a limited attacking approach so far to say the least, and that's by design. Charlie Morgan looks at the numbers.

Moments like this were rare in the second Test.

10:17 AM

Citings? What citings?

There was general bewilderment on Sunday after only one citing was issue to Kyle Sinckler for a bite, with that hearing taking place on Tuesday. Really, we were expecting a minimum of four. And Sinckler was not one of them.

Here's Gavin Mairs on how the process needs to change.

Given the public scrutiny of social media, it surely requires World Rugby to offer more transparency to the decision-making process. As it is, everyone is left to wonder why no action has been taken.

10:06 AM

Pick your side

We, the Telegraph writers, have had a go at selecting our own teams for the final Test. I leaned towards Gatland going for a similar strategy to beat the Springboks but with better execution - give it worked for three halves out of four so far - but maybe he'll change his approach.

You can also pick your own.

10:00 AM

Morning everyone

For the final time on this tour, and until the 2025, the Lions are about to name their side. There are whispers of a number of changes, but is that just a smokescreen? We'll find out at midday UK time.

Here's Daniel Schofield with the latest from a turbulent few weeks on what's going to happen with Rassie Erasmus following last week's video. Personally, think he's headed for a slap on the wrist but nothing more.

Rassie Erasmus will be present for the decisive third Test against the Lions with the Springboks director of rugby set to face a misconduct hearing after the series has concluded.

World Rugby last night confirmed that both Erasmus and South African Rugby will be made to answer for his scalding criticism of Nic Berry, the referee for the first Test that the Lions won 22-17. Punishments for breaching World Rugby’s Regulation 18 could range from a stadium ban to a financial fine or being blocked from providing referee feedback.

However, World Rugby have emphasised that they are in uncharted waters after Erasmus’ unprecedented hour-long attack on Berry in a video that was released last week.

It is highly unlikely that the independent hearing will be held before the third Test at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, meaning that Erasmus will be able to continue in his controversial role as water carrier as well as the Springboks’ figurehead.

The Lions, however, did not escape censure for their criticism of the appointment of South African Marius Jonker as television match official in the series once the original official, Brendon Pickerill, pulled out. In a statement, World Rugby said: “Having conducted a full review of all the available information, World Rugby is concerned that individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials.

“World Rugby has reminded the management of both teams of the importance of this area and their obligations regarding the values of the sport. In order to protect the integrity of the sport and its values, World Rugby will also undertake a review of its Code of Conduct relating to incidents of this nature with a view to strengthening scope, rules and sanctions.”