Springbok captain John Smit hopes Bakkies Botha was being victimised when he was hit by a two-week ban after the second Test against the British and Irish Lions. Otherwise the game of rugby could be changing, he said.
South Africa lock Botha was suspended for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones in the second Test that left the Welshman with a dislocated shoulder. Botha lost his appeal against the ban and will miss the final Test on Saturday.
Springbok flanker Schalk Burger also received an eight-week ban after the game for gouging.
”We are deeply saddened and angered more than anything else by the outcome of the Bakkies Botha appeal,” Smit told a news conference in Johannesburg on Friday.
”I hope and pray it’s just a case of Bakkies being victimised. If it’s not, then it could change this wonderful game we play.”
South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning a brutal encounter in Pretoria 28-25.
Smit said the incident that led to Botha’s suspension was part and parcel of every rugby game and suggested the decision could set an unwanted precedent.
”Sanity did not prevail at the appeal and I’ve had referees phoning me, and support from the Lions management and players, that it is very concerning for the future of the game.
”Unfortunately Adam Jones got injured purely because his arm was stuck in the ruck. If Bryan Habana is running down the wing as fast as a cheetah, it would be really poor for the game to make him slow down in case he hurts the tackler.”
‘No bad blood’
Smit, who captained South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007, said he expected Saturday’s Test to be an excellent contest and hoped it would be played in a good spirit.
”I sincerely hope there’s no bad blood between the two teams. Rugby’s all about running into each other at a million miles an hour and tackling each other at a million miles an hour, stitching oneself up afterwards and sharing a beer,” Smit said.
”There is still a massive amount for us to play for because we don’t get the opportunity to play against the Lions for another 12 years.
”It’s been a phenomenal series, although it’s probably easier for me to say that as the captain that’s won.”
Smit acknowledged the difficulties the Lions face on tour but said the concept was one envied by other teams.
”The challenge the Lions have is far greater than any other team we face because they have a limited amount of time to gel,” he said.
”They spend the Six Nations smashing each other and then they have to come together and create a brotherhood. They’ve created that camaraderie on this tour and I think the Lions are really envied by other teams.” — Reuters