Springboks top brass to face IRB panel in Dublin
Wednesday July 22 2009
The South African Rugby Union will appear before a disciplinary panel in Dublin on August 10 to answer charges of alleged misconduct, it was confirmed today.
SARU were charged by the International Rugby Board after the Springboks wore 'Justice' armbands for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in protest at Bakkies Botha's two-week suspension.
The Springboks lock had been found guilty of a dangerous charge on Adam Jones during the second Test in Pretoria, which left the Lions prop with a dislocated shoulder and out of action for six months.
South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir claimed there would have been no citing if Jones had not been injured in the incident and the Lions had no complaints with the challenge.
But Botha failed in an attempt to overturn the ban - he had failed to bind onto a team-mate before cleaning out the ruck - sparking the Springboks' protest at Ellis Park.
South Africa are charged with alleged misconduct in breach of the IRB's regulations relating to the game and its code of conduct.
The IRB confirmed independent disciplinary committee will feature two legal experts in Retired Honourable Justice John Hansen (New Zealand) and Judge Guillermo Tragant (Argentina) plus former Australia captain John Eales.
