Springboks accuse Lions of being scaredy-cats by not playing ‘A’ side twice in a week

RASSIE ERASMUS accused the Lions of running SCARED by not agreeing to a second match against South Africa A on Saturday.

Scheming Erasmus, who said he would beg for the fixture to take place, was instantly knocked-back by Warren Gatland.

The Lions are due to play South Africa A on Wednesday and then the Stormers on Saturday.

Boks boss Erasmus piled on the psychological warfare in a sensational press conference.

It was the first time that World Cup winners had been seen for a week after a mass Covid outbreak took their total number of positive cases to 26.

Getting stuck in, Erasmus launched several loaded jibes across Cape Town into the Lions camp.

He said: "We have just asked Warren and the team: 'Can we play another South Africa 'A' game against them on Saturday? 

"This would be the safest option. We have been tested negative two days in a row. We don’t have a positive case with this squad.

"We are sitting in our hotel in Cape Town in a totally hard bubble. We are going nowhere. Everybody is negative. 

"I am sure those guys won’t be afraid or scared to say no to that. If I can have my way, I think that would be fantastic. 

"I am sure the people would enjoy it. That would be ideal. I’m going to beg until there is a valid medical reason why we can’t do it.

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"For me that’s the safest way and will give us the best competition to be ready for the Lions.

"I am sure Warren wants us to be at full strength and have full match fitness before we play the first Test."

Erasmus stirred things up further by also revealing that Lions skipper Alun Wyn Jones was set to come out.

Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder against Japan last month and was ruled out of the tour.

But the Wales hero has made a miracle recovery and is due to fly to Cape Town this week.

And Erasmus added: "Alun Wyn Jones is very close to joining them.

"Alun Wyn will join the bubble of the Lions."