The Ospreys lost 44-25 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday. They did so without the services of regular hooker Scott Baldwin.
Baldwin was unable to play as he picked up a hand injury during the week. That injury was not sustained on the training pitch - it happened when he was bitten by a Lion at a game park on Wednesday.
Following the game on Friday night, after the exact circumstances of why Baldwin had missed the game had emerged, former England out-half Andy Goode tweeted a video of the incident.
Stroke the Lion it'll be fine they said! Here's @scottbaldwin2 petting a lion like it's a pet cat! pic.twitter.com/Y95FObGeJ5
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 29, 2017
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy had very little sympathy for the player.
He did bite Scott but when you put your hand in a fence where there is a lion, then you will get bitten.
It was pretty stupid on Scott's behalf and he is pretty lucky. It was a good environment and we were told how far back to stand.
I don't know what sort of wildlife show Scott has been watching where you can pat a lion on the head as if it's a kitten.
Baldwin later tweeted an apology to Ospreys fans for missing the game.
1/3 Sorry all Ospreys fans for letting you and the team down by missing the game through the bite!
— Scott Baldwin (@scottbaldwin2) September 30, 2017
2/3 should of know he wouldn't be impressed with me stroking his lioness before introducing myself to him first @AndyGoode10 #MyBad pic.twitter.com/cSclBsvS72
— scott baldwin (@scottbaldwin2) September 30, 2017
3/3 and for those asking my hand in on the mend thankfully & should be up & running round soon enough thanks for your support & concern 🙏
— Scott Baldwin (@scottbaldwin2) September 30, 2017
