Erasmus Denies 2021 Lions Spying Claims, Accuses Wales

Rassie Erasmus, South Africa's head coach, has strongly denied Warren Gatland's allegations that the Springboks spied on the British and Irish Lions during their 2021 tour, calling the claims baseless and urging Gatland to stop spreading misinformation. Gatland accused the Springboks of renting a property overlooking the Lions' training ground and using a long-lens camera to film their sessions, further alleging that Erasmus was seen on the pitch acting as a water carrier holding a sheet with Lions' plays. Erasmus responded sarcastically on social media and highlighted that the sheet contained Afrikaans words related to South Africa's own tactics, not the Lions' strategies. Furthermore, Erasmus accused the Wales team of similar spying tactics later in 2021, claiming that during a forced evacuation in Cardiff, their notes and whiteboard sheets were photographed and taken. Gatland's suspicions grew after Lukhanyo Am made a notable tackle on Elliot Daly, supposedly reading a Lions move they had not used before, which Erasmus credited to Am's exceptional game reading rather than espionage. Both coaches remain at odds, with Erasmus emphasizing that such spying claims are conspiratorial and damaging to the sport's integrity.