Gatland: Lions ready to battle the Bok bullies

THE scene is set for the battle of Pretoria between the world champion Springboks and the Lions – with Lions forwards coach Warren Gatland backing the tourists to cope with South Africa’s “bully mentality” in the crunch second Test showdown at Loftus Versfeld today.

The Wales boss was not afraid to criticise South Africa’s style of rugby claiming “The South Africans have very much a bully mentality, to come in and try to dominate, pushing players off the ball,” he said.

Victory for the world champions at a stadium where they have won 71% of their games would secure Test series glory with one match in the series still remaining.