Erasmus hits back at Gatland: We did not spy on Lions...Wales spied on us
Writing exclusively for Telegraph Sport, Gatland on Friday revealed how the Lions believed Erasmus and his South Africa coaching staff had access to the Lions' calls and tactics on the 2021 Covid-affected tour, which had been obtained by spying.
Gatland explained how a photographer had managed to take a picture of Erasmus on the pitch during the first Test holding a piece of paper which contained several of the Lions' calls.
But later on Friday Erasmus responded with a series of tweets on the X platform, saying that the piece of paper actually contained words in Afrikaans linked to South Africa's own game plan.
'Damn, they manage [sic] to decipher our Afrikaans game plan! Kudos to you! Great spying,' Erasmus, who led South Africa to back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023, wrote.
Erasmus went on to accuse Wales of similar tactics in the autumn of 2021, although Gatland had not rejoined the principality as coach at that stage. The Springboks were forced to evacuate their Cardiff hotel twice overnight before their match with Wales, and Erasmus claims that when they were safely allowed to return sensitive information had been taken.
'I hear from a source from within the Wales [sic] camp that whilst we were evacuated all our notes and plans were photographed and the white board sheets taken,' Erasmus said. 'We were again forced at around 06h00 for [sic] another evacuation!!'
Gatland wrote how the Lions' suspicions grew in the first Test, 'when Lukhanyo Am hit Elliot Daly with a massive man-and-ball tackle, reading a move that we had not used before during the tour matches'.
Erasmus also addressed that accusation in a third tweet: 'Lukie [Am] dit [sic] really well to read that one skip pass (we call that a 100) Exceptional read to see the one skip pas [sic] and make the tackle!'
In another tweet Erasmus appeared to suggest the Lions broke covid rules when he said 'not all sources are credible' along with a picture of South Africa's curfew restrictions during the Lions tour.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
11 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson rues timing of goals conceded against the Netherlands
Manchester City's Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring for the Dutch in first-half stoppage time before Victoria Pelova doubled their tally after the break in the 48th minute to put the tie beyond doubt. Barcelona forward Esmee Brugts added the extras as Wales opened with a heavy loss. 'It was a tough game. We know we're in a hard group but, equally, it's about Wales showing up and showing who we are as a team and a country,' Wilkinson told the BBC. Diolch Y Wal Goch ♥️ You played your part in history with incredible support. It means everything to us. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 5, 2025 'Getting into the half at 0-0 would have gone a long way. In the second half, that quick goal definitely hurt us.' Wales will need to get points on the board against France in St Gallen on Wednesday if they are to progress from Group D. They then face the Lionesses in their final group game as they bid for silverware in Switzerland. 'We're going to have to grow and learn from this,' she added. 'We're looking forward to the next game now.' Wales failed to register a shot on target in the match, and midfielder Jess Fishlock pointed towards Miedema's 100th international goal and Pelova's effort early in the second half as the turning points. 'To concede just before half-time and then so quickly after half-time, probably lapses of concentration and at this level, you switch off and you get punished,' Fishlock told the BBC. 'We are probably going to be a little bit disappointed in ourselves that we didn't get in and regroup the way we normally do. But this is the level and we have to get used to it real fast. 'What I do know is that we are going to regroup and get better as this tournament goes on. I think we have learned we can't switch off and we have to be better on the ball. 'At this level you have to keep the ball and move the ball and create space. We'll figure it out.'
Rhyl Journal
41 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Vivianne Miedema nets landmark goal as Wales lose Euro opener to Netherlands
Wales, the lowest ranked team in the competition, had made an encouraging start to the Euro 2025 Group D opener at the Allmend Stadium, but were undone by two clinical Dutch goals either side of the break. After Jill Roord's shot had hit the woodwork, Wales' solid defensive line was eventually breached when Miedema clipped home a fine dipping effort in stoppage time at the end of the first half to bring up her century in style. ⏰ FT | 🏴 0-3 🇳🇱 Defeat in our opening game at #WEURO2025 in Lucerne. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 5, 2025 Victoria Pelova then struck from close range just three minutes into the second half before Esmee Brugts added a third to put the result beyond Rhian Wilkinson's side, who next play France in St Gallen on Wednesday. Despite being pushed deep for long spells, Wales – with Esther Morgan handed a surprise start in a back three – had held their own as the Netherlands struggled to break them down in the final third ahead of the first drinks break. Wales, cheered on by around 3,800 supporters, were again well organised when play continued as the Dutch, who were European champions in 2017, looked to find a cutting edge to all of their possession. Cymru yn creu hanes 🏴 First Women's EURO game ✅#WEURO2025 — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 5, 2025 The Netherlands, though, were soon within inches of taking the lead in the 35th minute. Rhiannon Roberts headed out a long pass which had been launched towards the Wales penalty area. The ball dropped out to Roord, who took a touch before sending a 20-yard drive flying past Wales keeper Olivia Clark but her strike came back off the post. Wales created a decent opening late in the first half when Jess Fishlock laid the the ball off to Lily Woodham, only for her shot to fly over. The Netherlands then broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time through a brilliant finish from Miedema. Historical. 🇳🇱💯#NothingLikeOranje — OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 5, 2025 There looked little on for the Manchester City forward when she collected the ball on the left just outside the Wales penalty area, before then switching back inside to clip a fine effort up over Clark and into the far corner. Wales fell further behind three minutes after the restart when Danielle van de Donk latched on to a long ball and had the time to pick out Pelova, who fired home from inside the six-yard box. Former Manchester City midfielder Roord then saw another shot crash back off the bar before the Netherlands did get a third goal in the 57th minute. ⚽️ Pelova (48')⚽️ Brugts (57') 🇳🇱 @oranjevrouwen's second half… 🥵#WEURO2025 — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 5, 2025 Jackie Groenen's long-range strike rattled the crossbar again and after Wales failed to clear the danger, Brugts volleyed in a deep cross at the back post. Wales head coach Wilkinson looked to minimise further damage by making some substitutions going into the last 25 minutes, sending on Ffion Morgan, Kayleigh Barton and Rachel Rowe to replace Fishlock, Hannah Cain and Josie Green. Clark was out quickly to make a brave stop at the feet of Lineth Beerensteyn as she raced clear on goal before the Netherlands substitute then saw her late angled strike ruled out for offside.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Vivianne Miedema nets landmark goal as Wales lose Euro opener to Netherlands
Wales, the lowest ranked team in the competition, had made an encouraging start to the Euro 2025 Group D opener at the Allmend Stadium, but were undone by two clinical Dutch goals either side of the break. After Jill Roord's shot had hit the woodwork, Wales' solid defensive line was eventually breached when Miedema clipped home a fine dipping effort in stoppage time at the end of the first half to bring up her century in style. ⏰ FT | 🏴 0-3 🇳🇱 Defeat in our opening game at #WEURO2025 in Lucerne. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 5, 2025 Victoria Pelova then struck from close range just three minutes into the second half before Esmee Brugts added a third to put the result beyond Rhian Wilkinson's side, who next play France in St Gallen on Wednesday. Despite being pushed deep for long spells, Wales – with Esther Morgan handed a surprise start in a back three – had held their own as the Netherlands struggled to break them down in the final third ahead of the first drinks break. Wales, cheered on by around 3,800 supporters, were again well organised when play continued as the Dutch, who were European champions in 2017, looked to find a cutting edge to all of their possession. Cymru yn creu hanes 🏴 First Women's EURO game ✅#WEURO2025 — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 5, 2025 The Netherlands, though, were soon within inches of taking the lead in the 35th minute. Rhiannon Roberts headed out a long pass which had been launched towards the Wales penalty area. The ball dropped out to Roord, who took a touch before sending a 20-yard drive flying past Wales keeper Olivia Clark but her strike came back off the post. Wales created a decent opening late in the first half when Jess Fishlock laid the the ball off to Lily Woodham, only for her shot to fly over. The Netherlands then broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time through a brilliant finish from Miedema. There looked little on for the Manchester City forward when she collected the ball on the left just outside the Wales penalty area, before then switching back inside to clip a fine effort up over Clark and into the far corner. Wales fell further behind three minutes after the restart when Danielle van de Donk latched on to a long ball and had the time to pick out Pelova, who fired home from inside the six-yard box. Former Manchester City midfielder Roord then saw another shot crash back off the bar before the Netherlands did get a third goal in the 57th minute. Jackie Groenen's long-range strike rattled the crossbar again and after Wales failed to clear the danger, Brugts volleyed in a deep cross at the back post. Wales head coach Wilkinson looked to minimise further damage by making some substitutions going into the last 25 minutes, sending on Ffion Morgan, Kayleigh Barton and Rachel Rowe to replace Fishlock, Hannah Cain and Josie Green. Clark was out quickly to make a brave stop at the feet of Lineth Beerensteyn as she raced clear on goal before the Netherlands substitute then saw her late angled strike ruled out for offside.
