Botha ban fires up Boks
July 03 2009
South Africa will not let the unsuccessful appeal of lock Bakkies Botha, against his suspension for the cleaning out at a ruck, deter them from playing their normal physical game in the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
That assurance was given by Bok captain John Smit on Friday when he said he believed Botha was "victimised" after he was cited for the second-half charge on Adam Jones last weekend which left the Welsh prop needing corrective surgery to right a dislocated shoulder.
"I have to believe he was victimised, and I hope and pray that was the case," Smit said, adding that if it wasn't so, it would seriously affect the game of rugby and how it was played.
"One cannot let something like this pass.
"I hope sanity will prevail in the future.
"I have to believe he is being victimised because we can take 20 or 3O clips out of every game and ban every one who cleans out a ruck or tackle ball.
"I hope it's not because Bakkies is too strong for this game. The great thing about rugby union is that you get to run into each other at a million miles an hour, tackle each other a million miles an hour, stitch yourself up and have a beer afterwards.
"We've had support from the Lions management who believe that it wasn't a citing, as well as players from around South Africa and the world. For a ruling like that on Bakkies who came from behind the gate, with his arms bound, made a tackle, was not right.
"It was unfortunate that Jones was injured and that may be why he was banned rather than the actual tackle.
"Lions hooker Matthew Rees did the same thing to Bakkies straight afterwards. Bakkies cleaned Jones and Rees cleaned Bakkies. We had no problem with that - it's part of the game."
On the game itself, Smit said the Springboks were as motivated as ever to win the match, despite the fact that there are ten changes to their starting line-up from the side which began the second Test a week ago.
"There is still a massive amount to play for," Smit said and pointed out that this was the last opportunity for the Springboks to play the Lions who will only return in 12 years time.
Should the Boks win and complete a 3-0 whitewash it will be the first time a South African team has managed that feat over a Lions squad. That is as much motivation as any.
"It's another special occasion, we need no further motivation," said Smit.
"You'll always have emotions running high (between two sides as good as these), but it was a fantastic series.
"It's been one of the more fantastic series we've had, and that's really why emotions run high. It's a series every player will remember for the rest of their lives."
Much has been made of handshake-gate and Peter de Villiers claiming that Ian McGeechan did not shake his hand and congratulate him on the win.
The Lions have claimed differently but Smit said hoped that would all be put behind them at the post-match function scheduled for Saturday evening after the game.
"We don't care about handshakes," he said.
"I don't think you need credit from other sides but I think we'll have a beer and things will sort themselves out."
By Dave Morris in Johannesburg