Cheslin Kolbe’s high tackle on Lions star Conor Murray sparks fury

‘The Erasmus effect’: Cheslin Kolbe’s high tackle on Lions star Conor Murray – which starts mass brawl – sparks fury as fans suggest Rassie Erasmus’ verbal tirade has got into the referee’s head after South African was only shown a yellow!

Former England fly-half Andy Goode joined Lions fans in questioning how Cheslin Kolbe escaping a red card for his dangerous tackle on Conor Murray.

Handre Pollard smashed the ball high and Lions scrum-half Murray was taken out in the air by Kolbe during an ill-tempered first-half. 

The challenge sparked a brawl among the players on the touchline.

Referee Ben O’Keeffe brandished a yellow card to winger Kolbe after consulting with the TMO.

It left fans suggesting Rassie Erasmus’ verbal tirade before the second Test has got into the referee’s head.  

Erasmus had launched a hour-long rant about refereeing decisions during South Africa ‘s first Test defeat by the Lions.

The Springboks’ coach has made his feelings clear about a number of decisions he felt went against his side during their 22-17 defeat last week, calling Mako Vunipola ‘reckless and dangerous’ after handling Cheslin Kolbe, and has retweeted clips highlighting perceived mistakes made by officials. 

The eye-opening clip saw him take aim at officials over a perceived lack of respect towards his team, highlighting 30 decisions he feels they got wrong – calling some of them ‘mind baffling’, ‘silly’, ‘comical’ and ‘incredible’.

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