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South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has been forced into a humiliating apology for his crass comments in the wake of Schalk Burger's gouging of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald during the Second Test.
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."
Reader views (9)
I know SA have some of the most naturally gifted rugby players in the world, and I know they probably deserved to win the series, but you can't get away from the feeling that if players like Botha hadn't found rugby they'd be in prison.
- Alex C, London, 01/07/2009 11:56
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It'll be payback time when the Boks next visit England. Bring it on!"
er....Wales and Ireland maybe, But definitely not England
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 30/06/2009 16:50
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What is even more outrageous than De Villiers stupid comments is his cowardly decision to contest the ban dimposed on Botha's deliberate shoulder charge and the subsequent dislocated shoulder caused to influential prop Adam Jones. The barbaric Boks need to giscover humility some time soon, or teams will just refuse to tour the country
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 30/06/2009 16:07
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I'm sure all this bravado and bluster sounded good (in his own mind) until the office door shut and a P45 was thrust in his face."oh ok, I'll say eye gouging was wrong..."
- James, London, 30/06/2009 13:15
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It'll be payback time when the Boks next visit England. Bring it on!
- Ted, London, 30/06/2009 13:00
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Yet another example of the way that sportsmanship has been degraded by these dreadful moronic gormless "win at all costs" merchants. Grunting in tennis,diving in soccer,sledging in cricket,drug taking in athletics,encouraging the crowd to cheer for you in tennis etc. Come on chaps "Play up & play the game"!!!
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France., 30/06/2009 11:36
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De Villiers should be sacked immediately. He is a complete two faced hypocrit. Rugby does not need him.
- Marina, East Anglia, 30/06/2009 11:24
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The Lions should re-instate the '99' call for the final test.
- Rugbyfan, London, 30/06/2009 10:52
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I have never heard such an absurd outburst. How would he like anyone to gouge his eyes. It was a cowardly act by a coward. Cowards like this should be banned from playing rugby.
- Robbie G, London, 30/06/2009 10:07
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