Botha ban upheld as De Villiers blasts media

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 23:02

SOUTH Africa lock Bakkies Botha has lost his appeal against a two-week ban. The Blue Bulls forward was cited for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones during last Saturday's second Test in Pretoria.

It left the Welshman with a dislocated shoulder, and he has now flown home for further treatment. Botha's appeal was heard via conference call yesterday morning, and the decision to uphold his suspension means he misses tomorrow's final Test at Johannesburg's Ellis Park.

The Springboks, who hold an unassailable 2-0 series lead, will also be without flanker Schalk Burger, who was cited and banned for eight weeks after being found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Lions' wing Luke Fitzgerald. Springbok coach Peter de Villiers insists there will be no let-up despite making ten changes to his starting line-up.

Debutant Zane Kirchner, Odwa Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier and Morne Steyn come into a backline which sees Fourie du Preez as the only survivor from the last game. There is also a new look among the forwards, where only captain John Smit, vice-captain Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith remain from last Saturday's bruising 28-25 series-clinching win in Pretoria.

Alongside them will be Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johann Muller, Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski, but de Villiers is adamant the world champions will not at all be weakened despite two thirds of the team being changed.

"We believe the guys selected are as good as the others and that they can go out and do an outstanding job for the Springboks," said de Villiers. "They will also bring fresh energy to the team after two tough Tests. We respect the British and Irish Lions so much, and we want to give everybody a run against them. If they miss out on this opportunity, then they might not play against them again in their lifetime."

From the ten players that have made way, four – Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Bismarck du Plessis and Pierre Spies – have been handed a place on the bench, alongside Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens and the uncapped Steven Sykes.

Sharks lock Sykes has been named following Botha's unsuccessful appeal.

Looking back at a turbulent past few days, in which Burger's discipline issues have taken centre stage, de Villiers felt he was unnecessarily sucked into the debacle by the British media.

He added: "A lot was said this week, I think too much. The off-the-field stuff sometimes gives 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 learnt that if they can't win on the field, then they will try to win anywhere else they can."