Springbok captain John Smit and New Zealand lock Ali Williams have escaped punishment after being cited for punching during Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test in Pretoria.
Williams hit South African lock Johann Muller twice in view of referee Alan Lewis, who took no action. He was, however, found guilty of punching by a disciplinary committee chaired by Australian Harold Shand and was given a ”stern warning” according to a statement from SA Rugby on Monday.
Smit was accused of punching his New Zealand counterpart Richie McCaw, but the charges were dropped due to ”a lack of conclusive evidence”, according to SA Rugby.
Williams will be able to play for a New Zealand side that has lost four players to injury ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Springboks in Rustenburg.
Prop Greg Somerville (torn Achilles tendon), fullback Leon MacDonald (hip flexor sprain), number eight Chris Masoe (twisted ankle) and flank Reuben Thorne (broken thumb) have all been ruled out of the match.
All Blacks media manager Scott Compton on Monday confirmed reports that Waikato loose forward Marty Holah and Auckland prop John Afoa have been called up to the squad as replacements.
Both are likely to be tossed into action off the replacements’ bench.
The Springboks have added 33-year-old utility forward AJ Venter, whose last Test was against England at Twickenham at the end of 2004, to their squad. — Reuters