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Springboks don tinfoil hats in latest Lions tour outburst

The Springboks have accused the Lions of "destroying the integrity" of this summer's tour.  Assi...



The Springboks have accused the Lions of "destroying the integrity" of this summer's tour. 

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi held court in an extraordinary press conference ahead of Saturday's test.

They effectively doubled down on the rhetoric that's flowed from their director of rugby Rassie Erasmus since Saturday's 22-17 defeat to the Lions.

World Rugby and Rugby Australia have both publicly criticised Erasmus following his bizarre hour-long dissection of the officials' performance posted to Vimeo this week.

"World Rugby notes the comments made by Rassie Erasmus," a brief statement read on Friday, "The nature of these will be raised with the union via the usual official channels and no further comment will be made at this stage."

But instead of backing down, Stick and Kolisi further fanned the flames of animus on Friday afternoon.

Stick believes Lions head coach Warren Gatland was out of order to question the appointment of a South African TMO - Marius Jonker - for last week's first test.

"I think that is something that really destroyed the dignity of the series," the Boks assistant claimed, "And it also challenges the integrity of World Rugby.

"And he [Gatland] says a lot about the gentleman who was going to be a TMO, which is Marius Jonker."

Meanwhile, captain Kolisi backed up Erasmus' assertion that he wasn't shown due respect last week by match referee Nic Berry.

"I didn't feel respected at all," said the World Cup-winning captain, "I didn't feel I was given a fair opportunity."

When probed for examples, Kolisi responded, "Have you watched the [Erasmus] video? Watch the video and we can speak about it.

“I didn’t feel I had the same access to the referee. Watch the game and you will see yourself.”

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British And Irish Lions Lions Siya Kolisi South Africa Springboks The Lions