Despite reports the IRB will take action against the Springboks for wearing white armbands in the third and final Test against the touring British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park in protest at Bakkies Botha’s two week suspension, by Sunday evening SARU hadn’t been notified of any investigation.
Sport 24 reports:
SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo said the players should rather have followed the correct channels in airing their grievances.
“If there’s a problem, there are channels that ought to have been followed. One needs to find solutions rather than create further problems.”
Meanwhile, former British and Irish Lions and Ireland hooker Keith Wood believes the Springboks’ protest was unnecessary.
“I’m annoyed by it. It just looked ridiculous. Such protests should be done over something far more serious than what happened to Botha.
“He’s been unlucky in the disciplinary process to get a two-match ban and most people recognise that, but to make such a deal out of it was surprising to say the least. If you are going to protest then have something to protest over.”
I agree. It was a pathetic sideshow that may just have cost us the test.
I’d put money on it being Coach Matfield’s idea… did you see his additional tribute to his boyfriend emblazoned across the front of his headgear too?
Man, no wonder Johann Muller looked like he wasn’t interested in being there…. Imagine going to work and being forced to wear an armband saying “somebody else should be doing MY job and I want him back”!
Botha’s suspension was a farce, but cowboys don’t cry
That looked really cheap on a very expensive Bok jersey…
@blackshark (Comment 2) : I see Harmse is now in full voice about how it was the absence of Bakkie Botha that cost the team the third test. Didn’t realise we’d come to the point that our entire game revolves around our number 4.
@robdylan (Comment 1) : Pity Sykes didn’t get a chance….Muller didn’t have a fantastic game. The armbands was a bit much….although Bakkies didn’t deserve the suspension.
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
Did he say anything about Morne and Wynand’s poor performances??
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : Yeah – I’m not sure why Sykes wasn’t brought on. I guess it was a case of “you weren’t really part of the squad, so you’re only here as cover to be used as a last resort.” I was getting quite panicked at one stage because I’d seen no TV footage of Sykes on the bench at all… although plenty of shots of Dewald Potgieter on the side of the field. See where I’m going with this?
@wpw (Comment 5) : according to him, Morne and Wynand didn’t have poor performances. I mean, they’re incapable of performing poorly, aren’t they?
Seemed a childish thing to do. Plus the armband/stickers looked like they were made by children. A bit crude. I didn’t like it one bit.
@McLovin (Comment 8) : come come, dude… are you expecting professional rugby players to have perfect handwriting too? I’m just impressed that they all got the spelling right
(WB, BTW
)
@McLovin (Comment 8) : Welcome back McLovin….long time no see
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
Tell me about it. Maybe you should add Bakkies to the poll list…
I think the rugby community was willing to support us here but we’ve just ruined it by acting like spoiled brats. Eish…
@robdylan (Comment 9) : @Pokkel (Comment 10) : Thank you.
The protest was pathetic in the extreme.
Rob, the majority of the blame must surely be carried by the coaches and the captain. It may have been Matfields initiative, but the decision wouldnt have been his to carry out.
@robdylan (Comment 9) :
I suppose it was too late to place an order with Canterbury
@Salmonoid (Comment 13) :
True.
Greetings McLovin
was wondring where you and Racheltjie had got to?
@Salmonoid (Comment 13) : yeah – I’m afraid even the most one-eyed Smit supporter (see the article I’m about to put up) will have to conceded that the great one must have played no small part in this.
@Salmonoid (Comment 13) : Fortunately we were saved the sight of Victor’s Bakkies Botha underpants. Rumour has it a print of Bakkies’s smiling bakkies covers the crotch area.
@Salmonoid (Comment 16) : Was on a blogging sabbatical.
@McLovin (Comment 19) :
Spent your time scouring the earth for cool avatars, have you.
Welcome back my fellow Stormer supporter!!!
Welcome Back Rachel!!
(You see Rob – you should have told us LOOONNGG time ago…) I am sure it’s my apology that had something to do with Rachel grazing our pages again..)
It looks like the players grabbed a roll of masking tape and a cokie pen…I understand whay – but being professional – one shoudl use discresion..
Sorry that Sykes did not make the field too.
Tackie game all in all..
@wpw (Comment 21) : This year is definitely WP’s year.
Especially with Fleck the Great a backline coach. 
@Prof. Ice (Comment 22) : Howzit sister. Anyone tell you that you look a lot like Farrah Fawcet in that pic.
@McLovin (Comment 23) :
Fleckie the LEGEND!!!
REALLY??
@McLovin (Comment 19) : DAMN!! Beat me to it! I thought I’d found McLovin on another blog.
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistahardware/thread/720108ee-0a9c-4090-b62d-bbd5cb1a7605
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@Prof. Ice (Comment 22) : It’s “koki” pen drol….
@klempie (Comment 28) :
OK…sure everyone knew what I mant though…
@Prof. Ice (Comment 29) : lol…just giving you a hard time first thing up on a Monday.
@Prof. Ice (Comment 26) : Farrah Fawcett doesn’t look so good right now…
@robdylan (Comment 31) : Look up the word ‘gravitas’. You have none.
The hypocrisy on this site is astounding….
@klempie (Comment 27) : that thread is a hoot!
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Yeh! Classic!
@klempie (Comment 32) : oh come on… that was actually funny.
@klempie (Comment 27) :
Thank goodness for that link. Just fitted an external hard drive to my home pc. Had to reinforce the desk. Thought I was going mad. 
@McLovin (Comment 36) : Did you see the name of the original poster?
@klempie (Comment 37) : Imposter I tell you.
@robdylan (Comment 35) : You made light of someone’s death which is what I did. If yours was funny, mine was too. In fact, I recall JarsonX (I think it was) getting into the spirit of it. But it’s cool. It’s not the first time I’ve seen two different standards applied to the same “offence”.
@McLovin (Comment 38) :
@robdylan (Comment 31) :
@klempie (Comment 39) : I apologise if I offended you.
@klempie (Comment 30) :
What part about blue Mondays do’nt you understand???
@robdylan (Comment 42) :
You ARE in a good mood, hey??
@robdylan (Comment 42) : No no. Offence as per the supposed “Rules”. I’m one of the least offendable people I know.
@klempie (Comment 32) :
So you picked up the hypcrisy thing too.
@Salmonoid (Comment 45) :
Where’s the spoon..
“If there’s a problem, there are channels that ought to have been followed.”
those channels haven’t worked for decades now. irb and referees are the reason for the state rugby is in. it is stagnant and unless something is done, sevens will be the only form of the game that will attract non rugby nations.
Pathetic imo. Play rugby when your on the field, Protest after you won the game. I dont agree with Bakkies suspension as there is no consistency in reffing or hearings, but play the game and show them who is bigger
“If you are going to protest then have something to protest over.” the protest is deeper than the bakkies ban. it is about the huge inconsistencies in refereeing decisions and citings. it was great the protest was made in such a big test. irb need a kick up the arse and what better arena than the biggest test series in world rugby.
@Prof. Ice (Comment 46) :
Neva sista, but I am biting huge chumks out of my tongue.
@Prof. Ice (Comment 43) : I have bigger fish to fry today. Can’t be bothered with pedantry!
@Salmonoid (Comment 45) : Ages ago brother…
@try time (superrugby’s kryptonite is SANZAR) (Comment 49) :
Hey Keanu Reeves…is that you?
@klempie (Comment 27) : That is funny!!!
@Rahul (Comment 54) : lol
@McLovin (Comment 8) : They were made by children (aka Matfield and Botha and the rest of the BB’s)
@try time (superrugby’s kryptonite is SANZAR) (Comment 49) : Exactly – no use protesting when nobody is gonna see or hear about it!
@klempie (Comment 27) :
I’m probably late…but that thread is insane…
@blackshark (Comment 53) : keanu heeves.
@diablo (Comment 57) : like the sabc staff. no-one watches sabc so we won’t know the difference.
Wonder if the Lions would’ve worn armbands for Simon Shaw if they’s had another match.
@blackshark (Comment 58) : A beaut. That original poster is a grapgat of note.
@try time (superrugby’s kryptonite is SANZAR) (Comment 60) :
Well I agreed with the protest – it is about time Saffas stood up for themselves. We have been doormats for far too long. Prinsloo is a horses arse really – anyone could see that there was a problem – why did he use his intiative to sort it out – because the management are spineless that’s why. Just like it seems to be up to the players to coach themselves – so it also seems to be up to the players do deal with unfair judicial processes.
Sorry – meant to say “why DIDNT he use his intiative”….this keyboard has mind of its own…
@Just a Fan (Comment 64) : Prinsloo… oh my goodness. Where to start?
@Just a Fan (Comment 64) :
Theres no doubting that SARU could be doing more for EVERYONE involved in rugby but for the players to then take the matter into their own hands in such an amateurish, childlike way makes them even bigger laughing stocks, especially after that performance.
So now the protest has happened and what have they achieved.
The players have a union – SARPU, who they obviously dont have much faith in if these are the stunts they pull, but one would expect that that would be the route to follow.
Springboks face charges over armbands
By Mitch Phillips
London – The South African Rugby Union is to be charged with misconduct for allowing its players and coach to wear white “justice” armbands in Saturday’s Test against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg.
The Springbok players and management, including coach Peter de Villiers, wore the bands in protest at what they considered an unfair two-week suspension given to lock Bakkies Botha for charging Lions prop Adam Jones in the second Test in Pretoria.
Welshman Jones dislocated his shoulder and could be out of action for up to six months.
South Africa appealed against Botha’s ban but the suspension was upheld and he missed the third test, which the Lions won 28-9 having lost the first two matches of the series.
“The International Rugby Board (IRB) takes the view that such an act demonstrates a clear disregard of the disciplinary process and does so in a manner which brings, or has the potential to bring, the game into disrepute,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement.
“The IRB has notified the South Africa Rugby Union that it intends to begin the disciplinary proceedings. The matter will now be referred to the independent Judicial Panel Chairman who will appoint a judicial officer or committee. – Reuters
* sighs
@klempie (Comment 68) : Not wait, I take those sighs back.
Instead I will LMFAO!!
@klempie (Comment 68) : not that surprising, really. I wonder what the censure will be
@klempie (Comment 68) : Damn right they should.
However the citing/banning process is a bit of a joke and needs sorting out urgently.
Why is there always a hearing etc? Why not just X offence receive Y punishment. Always the same. No lawyers, no debate.
I just think it’s awesome that the IRB is coming down on them. It was pretty lame.