The South African Rugby Union (SARU) are not planning any action against Stormers captain Schalk Burger.
The Springbok flanker struck referee Mark Lawrence lightly on the arm in Saturday’s Super 14 match at Newlands.
The incident came after Lawrence had intervened in a scuffle between Burger and Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan.
SARU communications chief Andy Colquhoun told Sport24 that SARU referees boss André Watson had reviewed the incident and also spoken to Lawrence about it. He decided then that there would not be further action.
“If there are any real incidents of players manhandling referees, we will view it in a very serious light,” Colquhoun said on Watson’s behalf.
Lawrence already said on Sunday that there was nothing in the Burger incident.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee emphasised on Monday that it had been an accident.
“I think Schalk was hit by Cowan and for him it was like another Highlander joining in. There was no malice or intent,” said Coetzee.
“It was just a reaction and he probably got a huge fright when he saw it was the referee. Mark also saw it in that light.”
Stephen Nell for sport24.co.za
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KSA Shark is really gonna love this outcome!! 😈
Fair decision.
“I think Schalk was hit by Cowan and for him it was like another Highlander joining in. There was no malice or intent,” said Coetzee.
“It was just a reaction and he probably got a huge fright when he saw it was the referee. Mark also saw it in that light.”
Well said Mr Coetzee. Almost exactly what I said straight after the incident. 😎
Case closed. Although I’m sure we will be treated to plenty more hysterics from the anti-Province brigade. 🙄
@McLovin (Comment 2) :
Dude, I was thinking of you when I put up this thread. 😉
There’s no doubt a certain ‘recently retired ref’ (who just happens to be collect Ingerland rugby jerseys) will come out in full force and question this decision!! 😈 😆
@wpw (Comment 3) :
I watched the incident again with both eyes wide open and my neutral cap on.
Cowan and Schalk in a tussle. Schalk not even looking at the ref. Ref approaches Schalk from the side/behind/blindspot. Ref touches Schalk. Schalk startled, didn’t realise it was the ref straight away, but barely touches the ref. A nothing incident. 🙄 😈
Go to go.
Schalk for president. 😛
Happy with the outcome, although my imediate thought when it happened was “eish hier kom [email protected]”. But let’s be honest had it been an Aus or NZL ref, the outcome would have been different.
schalk is a rogue!
@McLovin (Comment 2) : It’s not the anti province brigade, it’s the “Schalk Burger is a Thug” brigade.
Missed the entire incident. Tequila and Dullstroom. hmmmm.
That`s why the boogy man has to check under his bed for SCALLA before he turns in for the night . . . .
Schalk Burger . . Unofficial Major of Cape Town hehehe
KAK!!!!!!!
Look at this video and tell me if you still think it was an accident.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9i8tA9a-o8
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) :
I can understand where Lawrence is coming from saying nothing really happened. Not because nothing really happened but because he probably has a reasonable report with Burger.
Burger looks at him for almost 2 seconds before slapshoving him.
Good to see SARU looking after their own for a change. 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : Lawrence has always had a soft spot for saffas, I think he should really only ref neutral games.
He’s firstly a South African, secondly a ref.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : Obviously, otherwise he would have been in trouble. 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : Not sure how you can make out where his eyeballs are pointing from that footage.
He could be looking anywhere from at Cowan to somewhere in the South Stand.
This was obviously a plot from the non Cape Town press to tarnish Saint Schalk’s good name.
@McLovin (Comment 17) : 😈 😆
Stormer in a teacup stuff . . .
Im not anti province but Schalk needs to catch a wake-up ..he is older now and a Capt and needs to change his ways .
Why was he scuffling in the 1st place .. I have a hard time thinking of any Capt getting involved besides Krige.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 14) : agree on that one don’t like this mark andrews at all he a big ❗ ❗ ❗ call it what you want but he cost us a super14 don’t like him and never will so what ever happened go s burger you did me one good think sorry but it personal just don’t like that dude at all 😕 😉