I was wrong over Schalk Burger, says red-faced Peter de Villiers

Even after Burger was banned for eight weeks on Sunday night he was still defended by De Villiers who suggested the Lions should buy tutus and take up ballet if they didn't want to face what he considered to be normal incidents on the rugby pitch.

After that latest outburst, South African Rugby Union chiefs met with De Villiers, who then issued a public apology. He said: "Eye gouging is something that we as a team will never be part of. The same applies to biting, head butting, spear tackling or any other foul play that doesn't belong in the game.

"My comments on Saturday were based on what I know of Schalk Burger as a player and not on what occurred. It was never my intention to suggest that I condone foul play - that is the last thing I would ever do and I apologise for creating any other impression." 

SARU president Oregan Hoskins said: "We would like to apologise to the rugby community for the erroneous impression that acts of foul play are in any way condoned by South African rugby.

"That has never been the case and is not now and we support strong action by rugby authorities when such acts occur."

Clive Woodward has criticised the match officials for not sending off Burger.

He believes the fact the incident happened just after kick-off helped keep Burger on the pitch with Christophe Berdos, the referee, taking advice from his touch judge about the sanction that was needed.

Woodward was head coach of the 2005 Lions team which lost captain Brian O'Driscoll to a spear tackle that ended his tour.

He said: "The referee did duck out of making the right decision because it was the first minute. That offence is a red card or nothing and the decision tainted the game. Burger should have gone off.

"I have never seen an eye gouge that was a yellow card rather than a red and it was a strange decision. The ban should have been longer."