Warren Gatland Told Steve Borthwick to Report the Springboks to World Rugby, and His Reason Will Surprise You
Yesterday at 04:00 PM
Warren Gatland didn’t hold back during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, urging England to confront South Africa over their heavy reliance on Head Injury Assessments (HIAs).
The Welsh coach’s advice came with an edge, rooted in his heated history with the Springboks’ director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus: The Water Boy Drama
Gatland and Erasmus clashed in 2021 during the British & Irish Lions tour, where Erasmus’ antics as a so-called "water boy" raised eyebrows. Despite the role’s simple purpose, Erasmus was more about sideline influence than hydration. Gatland memorably called him out, quipping, "If he is going to act as a water boy, at least he should have some water in his bottle." World Rugby eventually banned Erasmus from the role.
Gatland’s Tactical Warning to Borthwick
In his Telegraph column, Gatland didn’t mince words, advising England head coach Steve Borthwick: "You need to get on the front foot against Rassie Erasmus and his dark arts." Gatland stressed that beating the Springboks means being both physically and mentally resilient, while also keeping an eye out for any potential bending of the rules.
HIA Question Marks
Gatland also hinted at South Africa’s HIA protocols, suggesting Borthwick could subtly raise concerns with the officials: "I'm not saying they were illegitimate, but people are speculating. Highlighting anything unusual might make referees more vigilant." As for Erasmus, when asked if he would use HIAs to rest players, his blunt response was simply: "No."
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England team to play South Africa:
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 29 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 67 caps)
11. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 37 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 64 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 95 caps) – captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 43 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 86 caps) – vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 9 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 35 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 42 caps)
17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 4 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 117 caps)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 13 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 19 caps)
21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 9 caps)
22. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps) – vice captain
23. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Editors picks:
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The proud Rugby WAGs who'll cheer on England this Autumn – including model, clothing store owner and restauranteur
When England's Rugby team clashes with New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series opener, all eyes won't just be on the players.
Off the field, the players' wives and girlfriends (rugby WAGs) are a source of strength and style, with a few glamorous details of their own.
Katie George – Jamie George's Partner in Life
Katie and Jamie George have been a power couple for years. The Saracens hooker wed Katie in 2020 after six years of dating, with teammate Elliot Daly standing as best man. Their love story is a strong one, showing a deep bond and unwavering support for each other.
Mimi Fall – Maro Itoje's Fiancée
The towering Maro Itoje recently put a ring on it! The 30-year-old popped the question on a holiday to Nigeria, and his now-fiancée, Mimi Fall, said yes.
Known for being private, Maro shared the news with fans through Mimi’s Instagram, where England teammate Marcus Smith was quick to congratulate the happy couple.
Mimi is not only a model but also an artist, and she and Maro first met while modelling together.
Megan Slade – Henry Slade's Wife and Businesswoman
Henry Slade and his wife, Megan, tied the knot in 2022, and they share two beautiful children.
Megan runs a children's fashion line, Olive & Bud, known for high-quality basics with soft, earthy color palettes, co-founded with another new mum.
This Devon-based brand is gaining popularity, and Megan is as hands-on in her business as she is with her family.
Atdhetare Hoxha – George Ford's Resilient Partner
England fly-half George Ford is riding high in life, not only on the field but also at home, with his wife Atdhetare and their new baby.
Atdhetare has an inspiring journey, arriving in the UK as a child refugee from Kosovo. Driven by passion, she opened her own Italian restaurant, Sorella, in Saddleworth in 2020, bringing her love for food to life after overcoming a challenging past.
Her resilience is a source of strength for George.
Beth Dolling – Marcus Smith's Glamorous Girlfriend
The Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith has been dating model and singer Beth Dolling since 2019, and the pair regularly give fans a glimpse into their romance on social media.
Beth, who's worked with M MODELS MANAGEMENT and appeared in campaigns for PrettyLittleThing, has over 35,000 followers on Instagram.
She's also an aspiring singer, sharing clips of her vocals on a separate Instagram account, described simply as “Just some girl that likes to sing.”
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