Smit claims Lions support in blasting 'ludicrous' Botha ban
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SPRINGBOK captain John Smit has slammed the "ludicrous" two-week ban handed down to second-row Bakkies Botha following last weekend's tempestuous second Test in Pretoria.
Botha was suspended for an illegal charge on Lions prop Adam Jones at a ruck and misses today's third Test after his appeal was denied on Thursday. Smit lamented the fact that the incident led to Jones being ruled out of the tour with a dislocated shoulder but believes Botha's ban has set a dangerous precedent for disciplinary issues at the breakdown.
"We are deeply saddened, and probably more angry than anything else with regards to the Bakkies Botha outcome," said Smit. "If it is not victimisation of Bakkies for the way that he plays the game, then a ruling like this could change the game for good.
"To let something like this be passed is obviously setting a precedent that would probably ruin the game from a ruck point of view. We've had support from the Lions management, who have also said they don't agree with the citing. We've had support from players in the Lions squad -- and I've had support from players around the world who've also said it is ludicrous."
Botha's suspension was overshadowed by the eight weeks imposed on Schalk Burger for making contact with the eye of Luke Fitzgerald, but Smit says he does not think there is bad blood between the sides.
"The games have been tenacious and physical. But I believe after the third one is played and done we will have a phenomenal function afterwards."
Springbok coach Peter De Villiers, whose comments in defence of Burger threw fuel on the fire of the controversy, is also looking to move on, admitting that his remarks were ill-judged while still managing to get a dig in at the Lions and their travelling media.
"A lot was said this week, I think too much," said De Villiers. "The off-the-field stuff can give you more sleepless nights than the on-field stuff. We had negative media from Britain in 1974 and 1980 and now I've allowed it again in 2009.
"I've learned that if they can't win on the field then they will try to win anywhere else they can."
- Hugh Farrelly
