Schalk Burger on ice for weeks after 13-hour grilling

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Many in the sport will be staggered that Burger, who won his 50th cap in the match, got off so lightly for what appeared to be one of the worst examples of this despicable act by a rugby player.

He will miss the final game in Johannesburg on Saturday and at least his reputation is now tarnished by this act.

His Springboks team-mate Bakkies Botha is also out of the Third Test at Ellis Park after being suspended for two weeks following a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones.

Burger was yellow-carded by referee Christophe Berdos just 32 seconds into the game and then cited by Steve Hinds.

He appeared before Canadian judicial officer Alan Hudson who took a ridiculously long time to come to a decision on what was a clear case, given the television evidence.

The decision was announced just after 1am South Africa time, more than 13 hours after his hearing was scheduled to start.

See video of Schalk Burger's eye gouge

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan voiced his extreme displeasure over Burger's actions after the game and also hit back at comments from his Springboks counterpart Peter de Villiers.

He added: "I heard a quote [from De Villiers] that it might be part of the game. To me, that is never part of the game.

"I am very disappointed he said that. I can't see that ever being part of the game. It certainly wouldn't be part of a game I want to be associated with."

Fitzgerald, who did not suffer any damage despite Burger's fingers around his eyes said: "I felt the fingers in my eyes.

"I was surprised that someone of Schalk Burger's quality would do something like that. It seems to be becoming part of the game and should be dealt with severely."

Watch Standard Sport's Chris Jones second Test video diary