Botha banned

South Africa lock Bakkies Botha was tonight banned for two weeks following an incident in yesterday’s second Test against the British and Irish Lions.

Botha was cited by match commissioner Steve Hinds for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones.

It left Wales international Jones nursing a dislocated shoulder that required surgery, ruling him out of next Saturday’s third Test in Johannesburg.

But Botha will now also miss the Test series finale, although his ban expires before South Africa launch their Tri-Nations campaign against New Zealand in Bloemfontein on July 25.

The Springboks took an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Pretoria, producing a stirring late fightback to win 28-25.