Lions 2009 - Botha loses appeal

Eurosport - Thu, 02 Jul 15:23:00 2009

South Africa will be without Bakkies Botha for the final Test with the British and Irish Lions after the lock lost his appeal against a two-week ban.

RUGBY Bakkies Botha, the South Africa lock - 0

Botha (pictured) received the ban for a dangerous tackle on Lions prop Adam Jones in the second Test last weekend that damaged the Welshman's shoulder and ended his tour.

The Springboks have already claimed the series after winning the first two Tests but will likely miss Botha for the showdown at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Botha is respected as one of the most abrasive players in the sport and with Victor Matfield forms the most effective second row in world rugby.

Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder after being cleared out by Botha and has since returned to Wales for further treatment.

The Lions also lost Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll (concussion) and Jones's Wales team-mate and fellow-prop Gethin Jenkins with a fractured jaw.

South Africa will also be without flanker Schalk Burger, who was was banned for eight weeks for eye-gouging Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in the first minute of the second Test.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 7 of 27

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  1. Both the Boks players who were banned are excellent­ players who do not need to resort to that type of play.­ There is no need for this at international level.

    From andrew, on Thu 2 Jul 1:45PM

  2. I dont understand the ban.He came through the­ 'gates',did not dive of his feet and cleaned­ him away? its not his problem if Jones's body is­ not up to the task!
    Then any player should be banned­ when opponents are injured. carpetchoice101..wel your­ name says it doesnt it. Atlanta?lost are you,hence the­ name?

    From jaco.delarey, on Thu 2 Jul 1:30PM

  3. hope he rots, and meets johno in dark alley some­ day......

    From gary, on Thu 2 Jul 1:23PM

  4. Agreed, de Villiers is a disgrace. No wonder the SA RU­ made him apologise. What a @#$%.

    From atlanta, on Thu 2 Jul 1:19PM

  5. Sorry but that's a wrong 'un. His hit was no­ more illegal than BOD's on Rossouw

    From BigRich, on Thu 2 Jul 12:34PM

  6. Haha, thug.

    From Matthew, on Thu 2 Jul 12:31PM

  7. Boks Gameplan for Saturday:
    Stay focussed - the talking­ is done on the scoreboard!

    From suzjosjan, on Thu 2 Jul 12:23PM
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