New Zealand coach John Mitchell is expecting a physical but fair clash against the embattled Springboks in Saturday’s Tri-Nations rugby union test in Dunedin.
Mitchell said he wouldn’t be warning his All Blacks to expect dirty tactics from the South Africans as fallout continues from their bitter match with Australia last weekend.
Two South African players were suspended and Australian coach Eddie Jones accused the Springboks of biting, eye-gouging and spitting, saying they were a ”disgrace” to international rugby.
”We’re not in the position of pre-judging people,” Mitchell told a news conference on Tuesday. ”We have an enormous amount of respect for South African rugby.
”It’s a unique fixture that is special for New Zealanders and South Africans and we always expect a physical contest between the two countries so this no different.”
Senior All Blacks shared the opinion that South African rugby was hard but fair.
Prop Carl Hoeft, recalled to the starting lineup among five forward changes for Saturday’s match, said he was aware of incidents in last weekend’s test which led to the suspensions of Bakkies Botha and Robbie Kempson.
”I’ve seen those incidents but I wouldn’t get too carried away with it,” he said. South Africa ”just play hard, uncompromising rugby really.
”You hate to see these sorts of things spoiling what was a good game.”
Flanker Marty Holah, also recalled to the New Zealand starting lineup, said the Springboks played a physical style of rugby but were not typically a dirty team.
”Not gouging and biting,” he said. ”You cop a few [punches] but that pretty much goes with the territory.
”Certainly I wouldn’t say they’re the dirtiest side I’ve ever played but they are a very physical side. They don’t hold back, that would be the way to put it.”
Meanwhile, Springbok captain Corne Krige said he is still considering legal action against Jones, who accused him of spitting on Australian players.
Krige said he had suffered a cut mouth in last weekend’s test match and had been forced to spit out blood. If he spat near any Australian player it had been accidental.
Krige said he was still examining his options but was not prepared to let the Australian coach ”dirty my name in front of millions of people”.
He again denied claims by Jones that foul play was integral to South Africa’s gameplan.
Jones accused the Springboks of biting, eye-gouging and spitting and said the tactics were a ”disgrace”.
But Krige said the criticism only served to stir the Springboks after back-to-back losses to Australia and New Zealand.
”The Australians were on our minds yesterday. We have forgotten about them now and have a new job,” said Krige.
”We know we are a better team. We know we can play better rugby. We will make sure we do everything right this week.” – Sapa-AP