Burger & Botha Recieve Bans

29/06/09 09:48 Filed in: Discipline | Springboks
_45983774_burger_botha282gi
Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger have both been banned following incidents in the 2nd Test this weekend. Burger, who was found guilty of gouging by a citing tribunal received 8 weeks, while Botha who was found guilty of dangerous charging cops a 2 week ban.

Burger who was spotted using fingers in the eye area of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald within the 1st minute of Saturday's game was yellow carded at the time following a recommendation to Christophe Berdos from assistant referee Bryce Lawrence. The 2nd Test marked Burger's 50th cap and a return to rugby after 8 weeks sidelined with injury.

Botha's charge left Lions prop Adam Jones with a dislocated shoulder and unfortunately ended his involvement with the tour. Steve Hinds, the IRB citing comissioner, flagged both incidents and passed them on to Alan Hudson the IRB judicial officer. Fitzgerald gave evidence at the hearing and was supported by Lions lawyer, Richard Smith.

While the bans rule both players out of the third test, Burger will also miss the opening three matches of this years Tri-Nations. Within the team camps, the perception surrounding the gouging incident couldn't be more converse. Ian McGeechan's view was clear, "It should be automatically a red card as I understand it. To me that it is never part of the game, I could never condone actions like that."

Springbok coach Peter De Villiers however didn't agree, "I don't believe it was a card at all. In the first minute already there had been a lot of needle and if you watch the whole game you will see how many yellow cards they were let off. This is sport, this is what it's about. If things were clear-cut then we shouldn't even bother preparing for a game. Everyone is entitled to their opinion."

Responding to De Villiers comments, McGeechan said: "I am very disappointed if that's what he said because for me you can't see that and say it's a part of the game that I would ever want to be associated with."

0 Comments
This image is a theme.plist hack