Two South Africans cited after Australia clash

South Africans Robbie Kempson and Bakkies Botha were both cited after yesterday’s Tri-Nations defeat as the Springboks were branded a “disgrace to international rugby”.

Amid post-match exchanges every bit as fierce as the brutal battle on the Suncorp Stadium field, furious Australia coach Eddie Jones accused the Springboks of biting, spitting and eye-gouging.

It was a typically fierce encounter, full of bone-crunching defence, but Kempson was charged with a late and high tackle that left Toutai Kefu in hospital with suspected spinal injuries.

Botha, a replacement forward, will face the hearing charged with “attacking the face of an opponent” during Australia’s 29-9 victory.

Last year’s meeting in Perth descended into a slugfest as frustrations boiled over amid a flurry of yellow cards and, in the build-up to this weekend’s clash, the Springboks had promised another physical contest.

Joe van Niekerk stoked the fires by declaring he “was just looking forward to getting stuck into a few Wallabies” – and, according to the Wallabies, that is just what happened.

“The intent was there,” said Jones. “They spoke about it during the week. It wasn’t just the shot on Kefu. There were a number of other incidents. A player’s eyes were gouged. There was spitting out there.

“It’s a tactic, a deliberate tactic. History shows it. They talked about it during the week. Why else would you talk about it?

“It is really a disgrace for international rugby. It puts a slur on the whole game and it needs to be rubbed out. You can’t have those sort of incidents in Test football. That sort of rubbish shouldn’t go on.”

Jones slammed the example set by South African captain Corne Krige, a ruthless blind-side flanker with a reputation for pushing the boundaries.

He led South Africa’s assault on England at Twickenham last November that led to Jannes Labuschagne being sent off and the Springboks capitulating to a record defeat.

“He was involved in a number of unsavoury incidents and I think he needs to have a look at his position as an international footballer,” said Jones.

Australia hooker Brendan Cannon claimed he was forced to retaliate after being bitten on the shoulder during the match.

“The subsequent retaliation from the South African player was putting his fingers in both my eyes, which was a pretty frightening experience,” he said, believed to be the incident for which Botha was cited.

“They weren’t positive, they were playing the player,” said Australia captain George Gregan.

“They were spitting at people. They don’t go out to play and it’s consistent. Take a look at games with incidents, especially over the last two years and there has been one common denominator – it’s them.”

But Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli, who was forced to give his squad a dressing down after the Twickenham match, bristled at the accusations and asked for proof.

“If they make those allegations they have got to back it up, not just at a press conference,” he said.

“I would never ask my players to play like that. There were no instructions to play dirty.”

Danie Coetzee and Kempson were both sin-binned during the match, but went for professional fouls unrelated to the cited incidents.

Spending 20 minutes down to 14 men, and with a seven-man pack, was too much for the Springboks.

Their destructive defence held Australia at bay in the first half but Elton Flatley’s 100% kicking performance and second-half tries by Mat Rogers and man of the match Phil Waugh sealed the Wallabies’ first win of the series.

How costly it was remains to be seen, with Jones keeping a close eye on the results of tests on Kefu, who was stretchered off the field, his head in a brace, complaining of pins and needles in his arms and legs.