Coach Muir bemoans Botha's two-week ban

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 22:46

SOUTH Africa attack coach Dick Muir admitted he "fears what the game is coming to" as the Springboks confirmed they had lodged an appeal against Bakkies Botha's two-week ban.

Botha was suspended on Sunday after being found guilty of a "dangerous charge" on Adam Jones, which left the British and Irish Lions prop with a dislocated shoulder.

The appeal hearing will take place via teleconference tomorrow morning. If cleared, Botha could face the Lions in Sunday's third Test.

Springboks forwards coach Gary Gold described the suspension as "preposterous" because he felt Botha had cleared out the ruck legally.

And Muir said: "We certainly don't see any wrongdoing in that challenge and if it wasn't for the injury which came from it, I don't think anything would have been said about it.

"It is a major concern for us. There were a lot of other tougher incidents on the field where people could have been cited. We realise that it's a tough game, but what is disappointing for us was that there was no reason for Bakkies to be cited.

"We're concerned at what the game is coming too. Cleaning out at rucks is a big part of the game and is really physical. We are just concerned it could change the face of the game."

The Springboks will not be appealing Schalk Burger's eight-week ban for making contact with the eye area of Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald.