Boks to be charged with misconduct over armbands

The South African Rugby Union is to be charged with misconduct for allowing its players and coach to wear white “justice” armbands in Saturday’s Test against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg.

The Springbok players and management, including coach Peter de Villiers, wore the bands in protest at what they considered an unfair two-week suspension given to lock Bakkies Botha for charging Lions prop Adam Jones in the second Test in Pretoria.

Welshman Jones dislocated his shoulder and could be out of action for up to six months.

South Africa appealed against Botha’s ban but the suspension was upheld and he missed the third Test, which the Lions won 28-9 having lost the first two matches of the series.

“The International Rugby Board [IRB] takes the view that such an act demonstrates a clear disregard of the disciplinary process and does so in a manner which brings, or has the potential to bring, the game into disrepute,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement.

“The IRB has notified the South Africa Rugby Union that it intends to begin the disciplinary proceedings. The matter will now be referred to the independent judicial panel chairman who will appoint a judicial officer or committee.