Humiliating apology from de Villiers for defending gouging

SOUTH AFRICA coach Peter de Villiers has been forced into a humiliating apology for suggesting rugby players should “get some nice tutus and have a great dancing show” if they didn’t accept gouging was part of the game.

De Villiers met with South African Rugby Union chiefs to discuss the comments made after Schalk Burger’s gouging of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald during the second Test in Pretoria.

After initially suggesting gouging was part of the game, De Villiers later issued a public apology. He said: “Eye gouging is something that we as a team will never be part of.

“The same applies to biting, head butting, spear tackling or any other foul play that doesn’t belong in the game. My comments on Saturday were based on what I know of Schalk Burger as a player and not on what occurred. It was never my intention to suggest that I condone foul play – that is the last thing I would ever do and I apologise for creating any other impression.”

SARU president Oregan Hoskins said: “We would like to apologise to the rugby community for the erroneous impression that acts of foul play are in any way condoned by South African rugby

“That has never been the case and is not now and we support strong action by rugby authorities when such acts occur.”

Despite his climbdown in the gouging affair, de Villiers is defiant after suggestions he might be a weakness in South Africa’s armoury.

The Springboks go into Saturday’s third Test against the Lions with an unassailable 2-0 lead following wins in Durban and Pretoria. And despite de Villiers claiming 11 victories during his 15 Tests in charge, the jury remains out over the impact he has made.

Speculation pervades that the Springboks are effectively run by players such as World Cup-winning skipper John Smit and second-row giant Victor Matfield.

But de Villiers said: “If I am the weakest link, then we are bloody strong! I know myself that I am a God-given talent.

“I am the best ever that I can be, so whatever you think about me doesn’t bother me. I know what I am, and I don’t give a damn.”

De Villiers refused to criticise Ian McGeechan yesterday for a failure to congratulate him last weekend.

“Just because he did not shake my hand after the second game does not mean he will not do it after the third game; I know the man, he is an honourable man,” said de Villiers.

Brian O’Driscoll and Adam Jones are casualties of the bruising 28-25 defeat and will fly home injured.

Jones and O’Driscoll were among five Lions players taken to hospital after a second Test of savage intensity.

Prop Gethin Jenkins is another confirmed non-starter for the final test at Ellis Park on Saturday due to a cracked cheekbone, meaning likely chances for England front-row forwards Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery.

Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold believes the Burger incident should not get in the way of what he hopes will be a classic.

Gold said: “This has been a fantastic series up to now; it shouldn’t be tainted by side issues.”

Backs coach Dick Muir did hint that changes could be made for the third game although they would, he said, would show full respect for the Lions.

“Obviously we’re in no-mans-land with the Bakkies Botha (suspended but appealing) situation but we will look at the opportunity to bring one or two new guys into the team.”