In a revelation that sounds like it's straight out of a spy novel, Warren Gatland has tossed a grenade into the rugby world by claiming the Springboks engaged in some off-the-books reconnaissance during the 2021 Lions tour. Writing for The Telegraph, the former Lions coach has accused the South African team of spying on his squad's training sessions in Hermanus, adding yet another controversy to a tour already mired in drama.
Gatland detailed his suspicions, explaining, “We felt that during the tour we were spied on while we were based at the Arabella Country Estate near the coastal town of Hermanus.” Despite the tight COVID restrictions, which confined the team to their base for the duration of the three-test series—later relocated to Cape Town—Gatland and his team felt uneasy. “We trained at the nearby Hermanus High School and although we had security guards checking out the potential sites where cameras could be placed, there was only so much they could do,” he added.
“Our 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,”
The plot thickened with Rassie Erasmus, the Springbok coach, who was seen on the field acting as a 'water boy,' an unusual role that had him carrying around a piece of paper. Gatland noted, “We enlarged the photo which showed that there were some of our moves and calls on it.” This incident fueled further speculation about the lengths to which the Boks would go to gain an upper hand.
The intrigue didn’t stop at suspicious roles and photographs. Gatland also revealed conversations with insiders, stating, “I talked to someone who is well-connected in South Africa, who told me that a house that overlooked our training pitch had been rented for the duration of the series and that a long-lens camera had been placed in the top corner of the house to record us.” The Lions' coach expressed his frustration over these tactics, as knowing an opponent's plans gives them a significant advantage in preparing defenses.
While the series, which South Africa clinched 2-1, was already notable for Erasmus’ infamous video critique of the match officials that led to his suspension, Gatland's claims add another layer of intrigue to an already contentious tour. Whether these espionage allegations will lead to any formal investigation remains to be seen, but they certainly have added some extra spice to the storied rivalry between these two rugby powerhouses.