Justice: South Africa captain John Smit lead the protest on Saturday
The International Rugby Board (IRB) is investigating South Africa's protest against the suspension of Bakkies Botha during Saturday's third Test against the British & Irish Lions.
The Springboks sported white armbands with the message "Justice 4" after Botha was banned for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones in the second Test.
Springboks head coach Peter de Villiers confirmed after the game he agreed with the protest, which was orchestrated by captain John Smit and the South African Players' Association (SARPU).
An IRB spokesman said: "The IRB is looking to establish all the relevant facts before making any further comment."
Botha was banned for not binding as he cleared Jones from a ruck, an incident which left the Lions prop with a dislocated shoulder and out of the game for six months.
The Springboks launched an unsuccessful appeal and then called for rugby's judicial system to show greater consistency in the application of the law.
Smit slammed the suspension as "ludicrous" while Lions forwards coach Warren Gatland confirmed they had no issue with the challenge.
South African Rugby Players' Association chief executive Piet Heymans explained the decision to protest.
"Over an extended period of time, numerous other players have charged into rucks without binding, but were either not penalised at all or received only a penalty," he said.
"Bakkies hit a ruck just before the one in question in a similar style and was not penalised.
"The players want to send a clear message that they require the International Rugby Board to have an urgent and serious re-look at Law 10.4.
"The inconsistency has upset the players, and they felt very strongly that they must take a firm stance and show their unhappiness with the application of the relevant law.
"We will be consulting with our legal team next week to consider all our legal options available to assist Bakkies Botha and provide him with a sense of justice."
Comments
Ruperta says...
I completely agree that there are tremendous inconsistencies within the scope of the rules from the IRB. Panels should give consistenet punishment whatever the offence!! Whilst Bakkies Botha should not have got a 2 week ban, Schalk Burger should have had much longer!! Dylan Hartley missed a world cup due to a 6 month ban for the same offence, which was not even caught on camera and Neil Best got 16 weeks, again not caught on camera. How can both Quinlan And Burger get 8 weeks for being filmed? Is the crime less because everyone saw it on their TV? Same crime should carry same punishment whatever the circumstance!
Posted 11:25 06th July 2009