South African winger Breyton Paulse was given a three-week suspension on Sunday after being found guilty of kicking Australian prop Al Baxter during the Springboks’ 22-19 Tri-Nations rugby win over Australia on Saturday.
The incident happened in the 77th minute, leaving Baxter with an abrasion to his face. Paulse was cited by the independent citing commissioner after the incident was not seen by the referee or the touch judges.
Paulse told the judicial committee he had kicked out at Baxter, but that he did so at frustration from being held illegally and without any intention to inflict injury.
A jubilant South Africa left Perth on Sunday with a Tri-Nations clean sweep firmly in their sights, leaving behind a defeated Australian team which coach Eddie Jones hinted would need to begin rebuilding.
The Springboks, 22-19 victors at Subiaco Oval on Saturday, inflicted the fourth successive Test defeat on the Australians — the first time for almost 25 years a Wallaby team has endured such a fate.
It also left them facing their first Tri-Nations rout, after losing all three of their matches to date and only the daunting prospect of a final game against New Zealand in Auckland two weeks from now to avoid such humiliation.
Only New Zealand, in 1998, have lost all four matches in the series since it began in 1996.
The Wallabies, plagued with injuries to key players going into the match, dominated play against South Africa to the extent that even Springbok coach Jake White conceded his opponents were unlucky to lose.
”I am sure that they had to dig deep those Australian players, it wasn’t through lack of commitment, it wasn’t through lack of trying,” he said.
”They threw everything they could at us and we just got away with a win.
”I get the feeling people are a bit harsh on Australia at the minute. They really played well.”
But Jones, although pleased with the effort of his players, was not prepared to make excuses for the final result.
When asked if he would start experimenting with the team for upcoming matches he said the World Cup in 2007 was a priority.
”There is no doubt we have got to improve the side so the changes that we make have got to be in terms of (a) getting improvement in the side now and (b) looking towards 2007,” Jones said.
”Certainly if we feel there are guys who will improve the side, or potentially improve the side in the future, ‘yes’, the answer to that is definitely ‘yes’.”
Jones said his forwards had performed well and his backline against the Springboks were young players full of potential.
”I would struggle to find anyone outside of that group of backs particularly that are going to be better players either now or in the future for Australia,” he said.
The Australians had lost playmaker Stephen Larkham, winger Wendell Sailor, centre Stirling Mortlock and fullback Chris Latham from their backline through injury.
Hooker Jeremy Paul was also ruled out while replacement flyhalf Elton Flatley was a last minute withdrawal after suffering blurred vision during the warm-up for the match.
But stand-in fullback Drew Mitchell again distinguished himself as did incoming players Mat Rogers and Clyde Rathbone.
The Springboks, victors in their last three Tests over Australia, flew to Sydney on Sunday before heading to Dunedin on Monday.
White said they had few injury problems although prop C.J. van der Linde ”had taken a knock”.
Captain Jon Smit said they were pleased with the win over Australia but realised the All Blacks would present a major hurdle to winning a clean-sweep in Dunedin next week.
”The guys are relieved that they’ve been able to win (away) against a very top side,” he said.
”But I think everyone knows deep down next week is going to be the challenge.”
White said he was happy with the stability of his side but would look at the options in the week ahead.
”I don’t think there will be too many changes. I think again the side has shown that the 22 we have, have done the job … it’s always difficult to leave someone out,” he said.
”But again, looking at the All Blacks side there might be one or two positions where we might have to just re-think about where we can improve,” he said, suggesting there was room for improvement in the Springbok attack.
New Zealand, on five points from two matches, can still win the series if they defeat both South Africa and Australia.
The Springboks have 12 points from three wins but have not yet secured any bonus points which could prove decisive should they lose to New Zealand. – Sapa-AFP