SANZAR have slapped Stefan Terblanche with a 2000 AUD fine for a tweet questioning the ruling that Riaan Swanepoel was not eligible to play for the Sharks in the Super Rugby match against the Crusaders earlier this year.
Terblanche was forced to attend a disciplinary hearing, reprimanded, fined and forced to apologise for the error via his twitter account (@stefanT15).
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything pettier in my life. Get a grip, SANZAR – and fix the real problems.
Sharksworld would like to reassure Stefan that he has all of our support. Mate, if I had the cash, I’d pay your fine for you!

this is pure bullshit.
I mean, the lest that could do is pretend it’s neutral and FINE HIM IN ROND, FOR F*CKS SAKE!
Idiots!!
Sanzar circus is in town again π
Come on guys, its not too dissimilar to Digby Ioane’s 2000AUD fine for his twitter rant, except I don’t think Digby retaliated with a heavily sarcastic “apology” tweet.
What was Ionanes tweet about. What was Stefs apology?
Sanzar . . .
Surely there must be a way to get back at them?
@robdylan (Comment 1) : Can you give me an idea of what the comments where? First I heard about is was Stefan mentioning something about being in trouble when he was in the SS studio. How did I miss this?
@Ossa (Comment 7) : let’s see if I can find the tweets
go sanzar! what oupa tired of pairing with the kak meyer bosman? bwahahha π π
the first one…
SANZAR again being very impartial. The Sharks not even allowed to take who we want on tour. Pathetic!!
and then
Not allowed to take Swanepoel who has been part of squad all year and toured with us for 4 weeks. He didn’t play 4 games. Caleb Ralph,Reds?
here’s the apology…
Apologies to Sanzar. I was wrong about ruling on Riaan Swanepoel. He was correctly ruled ineligible. I am sorry.
and he explains it with
I had to apologise to Sanzar and got fined $ 2000. That is australian dollars,so roughly times 7.2 to get rand value. Expensive tweet!
@robdylan (Comment 10) : O okay, how about ‘Thank you for allowing Freddie SANZAR’, but then again so what its TWITTER not the SANZAR-BBS. Think they will fine me if I said something like that?
What was the sarcastic apology?
@robdylan (Comment 11) : O okay
@Megatron (Comment 9) : You must have loved the way the Crusaders midfield was carved up by the Reds. I know I did.
I personally think that if you don’t want people to publicly criticize you, don’t do stuff to get criticised for.
That being said, he was wrong about Swannie being eligible.
What’s the issue with Caleb Ralph?
@Ossa (Comment 12) : I didn’t think his apology was sarcastic
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Got my lines crossed. Molly said something about Digby’s apology
@robdylan (Comment 16) & @Ossa (Comment 17)
It was my opinion that it was a sarcastic tweet from Terblanche.
@Ossa (Comment 17) : Molly implied that Stefs apology was sarcastic. I also dont think it was.
@Ossa (Comment 12) :
His first tweet
‘SANZAR again being very impartial. The Sharks not even allowed to take who we want on tour. Pathetic!!’
and then another
‘Not allowed to take Swanepoel who has been part of squad all year and toured with us for 4 weeks. He didnβt play 4 games. Caleb Ralph,Reds?’
@molly (Comment 18) :
I don’t see the sarcasm in that tweet.
@molly (Comment 4) : Mols – whats so heavily sarcastic”” about his βapologyβ tweet? β π
@Ice (Comment 22) : Or issit because its a Shark? π
Old people and technology… π π π
@Ice (Comment 23) : And before you answer that I dont see it as sarcastic could also be the fact that he is a Shark…it could have been Duane vermeulen for all I care – would not have seen it as sarcasm…
the again – Stefan has too much integrity to be sarcastic ..full stop..
@Pokkel (Comment 21) & @Ice (Comment 22) : Perhaps I put the emphasis in different places to you guys, it is my opinion. Its hard to read tone of tweets. Also, following up an apology with the reason behind your apologising makes it seem quite a little less heartfelt. “I had to apologise”… π
What was the issue with Ralph?
What a crock of shit.
@Ice (Comment 25) : I also don’t know his character, so I may be way off base. Just felt it was a forced apology and was more of a go at the process(read: Sanzar) than an actual apology.
How many sportsmen have been fined for tweets? π
Do they not understand how the internet works? They should be fined extra for being dof. π
@Ossa (Comment 27) : similar scenario to Schalk Brits for the Stormers, he was a direct replacement for an injured player, but didn’t have 4 games under his belt, same as Freddy Michalak.
*phew!* Glad I decided to omit “shrewd user of social networking tools” from the Defending the Age-Man article…
@molly (Comment 29) : Well I guess if he tweeted it in the first place he never expected that he had to apologise or be fined…so in that sense I am sure it is somewhat of a forced apology! But like I say – I dont think any sarcasm in it though! π
@Ice (Comment 33) : I see someone from SANZAR has responded to some of the criticism with this tweet:
“That’s why we have a Code of conduct. Similar case to Digby Ioane. Players were aware of Twitter policies. Simple”
So he must have known, surely?
@Culling Song (Comment 32) :
@molly (Comment 31) : O okay. Stefan’s comments were then definitely wrong.
But I don’t like this ‘nobody gets to say anything bad about us’ vibe, not condusive to self improvement.
What I feel in a way is that referees are now more and more excempt from criticism, and now have to show the world how bad they are all by themselves( ‘you moved, thats dangerous’ )
I am with Mols on this one actually. I reckon in the first place that Stef should be more careful with his tweets and then if fined at least make a proper apology and nit leaving space for people to make out the second meaning. He is after all Sharks vice -captain.
Also didn’t like him omitting Ramos during last year CC’s presentations.
@Ossa (Comment 36) : I think the lesson is that players can’t criticise, media can feel free to, much like criticising your employer on a public forum would get you into trouble.
@Ossa (Comment 36) : not really nobody – just the guys under their jurisdiction. π
@molly (Comment 38) : was about to point out exactly that π
@molly (Comment 38) : @rekinek (Comment 40) :
Fine line!
Its like refs interpreting rules differently…
@molly (Comment 38) : @rekinek (Comment 40) : aaaahh, get a room
Was just saying, if you are exempt from criticism, you don’t take responsibility for your actions.
I have resigned , leaving in two weeks, so I don’t quite care about getting in trouble with my boss π
@Ice (Comment 41) : That’s what I said
Whats the problem. He is being honest, SANZAR fined him and he HAD to appologise. Thats what he did and told the world that thats how it was done. Is he expected to now come across as if he has rethought the whole thing and is really sorry about it – that would be dihonest.
@rekinek (Comment 40) : hopefully he can afford it, if my employer fined me that… we would have some issues. π
@Ice (Comment 41) : i see you are from “Bryce Lawrence” school
@Ossa (Comment 43) : SORRYYY!!!!! π
π
@Salmonoid (Comment 44) : if he wanted to be honest and opinionated he should have become a media person
@molly (Comment 45) : @rekinek (Comment 46) :
@Ice (Comment 47) : no need to shout π₯
@rekinek (Comment 48) : watch this space.
I can’t believe people are having a go at SANZAR on this. π
He deserved the fine for criticising his employer in public.
@Ossa (Comment 50) : No need to be so sensitive! π
@wpw (Comment 52) : Het jy nou ok wee jou eiertjie te lΓ¨? π
@wpw (Comment 52) : So simple, yet so hard for some to grasp. π π
@Ice (Comment 53) : whatever dude π
@Ice (Comment 49) : have you seen Salmo’s comments about Freddie at or table?
@rekinek (Comment 57) : No – where?
@Salmonoid (Comment 51) : perhaps once retired he can become SW columnist π
@rekinek (Comment 57) : or more likely “not at our table”
@McLovin (Comment 55) :
Maybe we should draw them pictures!!
Btw, congrats on passing me to number 4th on the user stats list!! π
@rekinek (Comment 59) :
or a Supersport presenter.
@wpw (Comment 61) : Thanks, I have no life.
@rekinek (Comment 57) : @Ice (Comment 58) :
So what’s on the menu at this said breakfast? Frogs legs?? π π
@wpw (Comment 52) : Really, so SANZAR is his employer, do the Sharks know this?
@Salmonoid (Comment 60) : i would not think that trying to confuse a blonde is such a fun thing π π
@wpw (Comment 64) : Its a breakfast, dinner is eaten later in the day.
@wpw (Comment 64) : yes, cape rain frogs followed by Snoils π
@rekinek (Comment 66) : Where’s the comment?
@Salmonoid (Comment 67) : Wes wont know the difference…he eats all day anyway.. π
@rekinek (Comment 66) : There may be at least 2 Blondes at that table, mind you I have also seen jet black hair replacing the blonde before.
@Salmonoid (Comment 67) :
Say what??
π
@wpw (Comment 64) : ssssssssht salamo is here(whispering) π
@Ice (Comment 70) ::lol: Gatsby’s 24/7
@Ice (Comment 69) : on the Joubert& Richards debut thread – but I smell sth fishy here.
@franshark (Comment 73) : Speak up, we cant hear you.
@Salmonoid (Comment 71) : isn’t it that the more blondes the easier the confusion π
Stef is a old wise man and should really have known better. No sympathy from me. Pay your own damn fine! π
@rekinek (Comment 75) : Ho would Sammy know??
@rekinek (Comment 77) : Always.
@Ben (Comment 78) :
:like: π
You SW bloggers should show SANZAR waaaaay more respect. They’re like protecting the proud traditions of Southern Hemisphere rugby. They don’t care about the money! Seriously! π
this is probably why keegan was made captain, oupa demoted for running his mouth on twitter
@Ice (Comment 79) : Im guessing, its got to do with karma and yours and Reki’s earlier comments on that thread.
@Ice (Comment 79) : dunno – his Polish grandmother
@rekinek (Comment 85) : Babcia Salmo says……you will sit at a table hosted by — β
@Salmonoid (Comment 86) : i meant Freddy’s babcia π
@rekinek (Comment 87) :
@Salmonoid (Comment 86) : @rekinek (Comment 87) : Do you two share part of the same firstname?
@Salmonoid (Comment 84) : Karma can be a biatch!! π Watch me make a scene and demand another table! π
@Ice (Comment 89) : how did you get from babcia to first names π―
@rekinek (Comment 91) : Well you are claiming he has a polish grandma…so trying to figure out if he is! LOL – Now the little bit that I think his real name is, is very close to yours…
OUt with it!! Sammy – are you polish?? π
@Ice (Comment 92) : π³ the joke was to be that Salmo knows Freddie’s Polish grandmother. Michalak is a Polish surname.
@Ice (Comment 89) : Could be.
@rekinek (Comment 93) :
My bad… π
@Ice (Comment 92) : Make me a big bowl of bigos and I will tell you.
@Salmonoid (Comment 96) : i was about to say “pssst- I am trying to sell this info” π but it’s fine now.
Ice, I have a recipe – for you special price
@rekinek (Comment 97) : But my knowledge of Polish food could be deceiving, you can still sell the info and the recipe.
@Salmonoid (Comment 98) : so let me rebrand it “2 in 1 Polish special” π
Fine Stevan for on commenting on Swanepoel but Brits can play for Stormers no problem. Double standards
@rekinek (Comment 97) : It looks like bunny chow! π
@rekinek (Comment 99) : π
@Ice (Comment 101) : π― Salmo your secret is safe π
You two are cobnfusing me – I know thats not a real challenge – but REALLY…what the hells going on here…?? π π
WTF! Bulls nomimated as team of the year, Ludeke as coach of the year, Matfield is nominated for the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award – COME ON!!! π π― πΏ β
@rekinek (Comment 103) : There is money to be made.
@Ice (Comment 104) : last year it was WP & Stormers so applying this logic it kinda makes sense π
@Ice (Comment 104) : Just because we both have similar first names does not necessarily mean we are both Polish.
@Salmonoid (Comment 105) : i just got scared that whatever Ice cooks according to the recipe she will chuck into some bun and it won’t count. Maybe i should try and sell her the ready made product π
@Salmonoid (Comment 107) : So you wanna tell me I am wrong with your surname??? π³
@Ice (Comment 104) : For what are those nominations?
@rekinek (Comment 108) : is there rabbit in there?? π
@Salmonoid (Comment 110) : Some sports awards thingymabob…
@Salmonoid (Comment 110) : for “so close and yet so far awards”
@rekinek (Comment 108) : Bunnychow goes Polish.
@Ice (Comment 101) : Lekker winter comfort food.
@Salmonoid (Comment 114) : fusion food π
@rekinek (Comment 116) : CONfusion food! π
@Ice (Comment 117) : π
ohh and there is no rabbit in it.
me gonna go now before you 2 make me hungrier π π
@rekinek (Comment 119) : send me recipe… π
@rekinek (Comment 116) : There is a butchery in Worcester called Bigos – the owner says he saw the recipe many years ago and liked the name so when he started his own butchery he named it Bigos.
@Ice (Comment 104) : you are such a HATER