Barnes calls Boks a disgrace

FORMER England fly-half Stuart Barnes has branded the Springboks as a “disgrace” in the wake of last weekend’s ill-tempered loss to England.

Barnes' comments were borne out when Sky Sports screened graphic video evidence showing the full extent of South Africa's appalling approach to the Twickenham clash.

In The Rugby Club programme, Springboks skipper Corne Krige was highlighted as a major offender in the violence which scarred England's record 53-3 defeat of the hapless tourists.

Krige as captain targeted the entire England team. It was all rather Jurassic.

"There was some horrible stuff, with Krige to the fore. That is a worry because it suggests the violence was pre-meditated.

"It is unnerving to hear one side complain England are, after all, no angels as Clive Woodward admitted post-match. But this was bad and a terrible disappointment.

"Is the Springbok philosophy of total rugby that started to develop in the Tri-Nations so thinly based? When in doubt, snarl and snap.

"That is no way to beat the best and certainly no way to play the game. The coach needs to address the approach and perhaps his own role in what was an unedifying spectacle."

Numerous England players were on the receiving end of illegal South African tactics including Neil Back (fractured cheekbone), Lewis Moody (shoulder) and Jason Robinson (ear).

Jonny Wilkinson also damaged his shoulder, although not in the incident when he was pole-axed by Springboks forward Jannes Labuschagne through a late shoulder-charge which saw the 26-year-old lock sent off.

Labuschagne was subsequently banned for 23 days, while match commissioner, French lawyer Paul Mauriac, cited full-back Werner Greeff for a dangerous tackle on England wing Phil Christophers.