Aussie coach brands Boks a disgrace as two players banned
They will miss only one Test - Saturday’s Tri-Nations game with New Zealand - and will be back in time for October’s World Cup.
Botha, 23, was found guilty of attacking the face of Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon, who gave evidence to a three-man SANZAR judiciary.
Cannon claimed after the match he was bitten on his shoulder and his eyes were gouged during Australia’s 29-9 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Kempson, 29, was suspended for a high and late tackle on Wallabies forward Toutai Kefu, who was later cleared of serious neck damage.
The decisions continued a wild aftermath to Australia’s first win in four internationals, with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones declaring that the Springboks were “a disgrace for international rugby”.
“They’ve made deliberate decisions on how they want to play the game,” Jones said, “If you don’t want players like that in your side, don’t pick them.
“You want players to go on with rubbish like that, then you continue to pick them and you actually reward them with leadership roles.”
South African coach Rudolf Straeuli accused Jones of trying to take pressure off his team by criticising the Springboks but he refused to comment further after yesterday’s hearings.
The judiciary accepted the evidence from Cannon, who had scratch marks on his face, as “truthful and reliable”.
The panel, chaired by New Zealander Tim Gresson, decided Botha’s actions were reckless and not deliberate, apparently saving him from a longer ban.
Botha admitted touching Cannon’s face but insisted he was “endeavouring to get away from the Australian player” and had “no malicious intent”.
The Springboks flew in a Queen’s Counsel from New Zealand to defend Kempson, who hit Kefu with a late and high shot in the 79th minute.
Kefu was carefully placed on the back of a motorised cart with his neck in a brace and taken to hospital after the contact, complaining of numbness in his legs and arms. The Wallabies were relieved on Sunday when he was cleared of serious injury.
Kefu is still doubtful for the final Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Auckland on August 16 after suffering what Jones called a “spinal concussion”.
The panel accused Kempson of a swinging arm and rejected claims he was unaware Kefu had passed the ball in the lead-up to Australia’s second try by flanker Phil Waugh and that the tackle was not dangerous. Botha, Kempson and team officials did not comment as the Springboks left by a side exit from the Brisbane hotel where the cases were heard.
Straeuli did not add to his earlier claims that Jones’ outburst was motivated by the Wallabies’ indifferent form. “We definitely did not have those tactics planned,” he said, “We’ve been complimentary and at the end of the day it’s a person (Jones) taking pressure off his team.”
South Africa’s latest disciplinary problems follow a 23-day suspension for lock Jannes Labuschagne, who was sent off after 23 minutes of the Springboks’ defeat by England at Twickenham last November.
Team-mate and full-back Werner Greeff escaped censure after being cited for a high tackle during the same match.
Lock Labuschagne was red-carded by New Zealand referee Paddy O’Brien for a late tackle on England stand-off Jonny Wilkinson during a fiery encounter, which was roundly condemned by England coach Clive Woodward.
The ill-feeling could last for some time with the Springboks and Wallabies not expected to meet at the World Cup in Australia during October and November.
Jones said Australian Rugby Union managing director John O’Neill was expected to meet with his South African counterpart Rian Oberholzer about the incidents which followed a brawl during last year’s corresponding Brisbane Test.
The Springboks leave today for Dunedin, where they will complete their Tri-Nations series against New Zealand on Saturday.
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