South Africa punished for Botha ban protest

South African rugby chiefs and several Springbok players have been punished following a controversial protest during this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.

Players and management wore armbands that featured the word “Justice” before and during the third Test defeat against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Their stance opposed a suspension handed out to lock Bakkies Botha for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones during the second Test at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria seven days earlier.

The Wales forward was left nursing a dislocated shoulder that ended his tour.

A three-man independent disciplinary committee, including former Australia captain John Eales, found the South African Rugby Union, team members and officials guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

SARU received a £10,000 (€11,500) fine and each Springbok player who wore an armband landed a £200 (€230) fine, except for skipper John Smit, who was fined £1,000 (€1,140).