Irish referee Dave McHugh intends to sue 43-year-old Pieter van Zyl after the Springbok supporter ran on to the field during the Tri-Nations clash at King’s Park Stadium on Saturday and tackled the referee to the ground, dislocating his shoulder in the process.
Van Zyl from Potchefstroom, managed to evade the 419 security personnel on duty before running all of 50 metres to attack McHugh.
Speaking on behalf of McHugh, who was still shaken from the incident, Springbok coach Rudolph Straeuli said that the Irish referee was seriously considering taking legal action.
”I know Dave is seeking legal advice. He intends to sue the perpetrator,” said Straeuli.
”An individual can’t take out his frustrations on another individual in that way. We need to look at technology to make the game more professional,” said Straeuli.
Van Zyl has been charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and trespassing, police said on Sunday.
Van Zyl, who had his nose broken during the scuffle, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court Sunday where he was granted R3 000 bail. He will appear in court again on September 9.
SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer said during a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday that the man would be banned from attending rugby games in South Africa ”for the rest of his life”.
”When we host Test matches in South Africa we do not expect people to behave like this… those who support the Springboks, and indeed, rugby, should know that they should behave responsibly and with respect, most especially towards referees, the players and other spectators,” said Oberholzer. – Sapa