De Villiers defends Burger

But Boks coach insists he does not condone foul play

Last updated: 30th June 2009

De Villiers defends Burger

Burger: Suspension

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South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has described Schalk Burger as "honourable" despite the flanker being found guilty of eye gouging.

Burger has been banned for eight weeks following his clash with British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald 32 seconds into the second Test in Pretoria.

Television footage clearly showed Burger's fingers making contact with Fitzgerald's eye - with touch judge Bryce Lawrence also spotting the incident.

Although referee Christophe Berdos opted to show yellow card - rather than send off the Boks back-rower - the incident was referred to an independent disciplinary committee, who found Burger guilty late on Sunday evening.

De Villiers had angered the Lions by claiming after the match the incident wasn't worth a yellow card.

He said on Monday: "I have watched the television footage, and I am still convinced that nothing he did was on purpose.

"He never meant to go to anyone's eye, and we will now wait for the full report.

"He is an honourable man."

Apology

However, despite initially refusing to back down from his stance, de Villiers later apologised and said his comments had been misinterpreted.

"My comments (after the game) on Saturday were based on what I know of Schalk Burger as a player, and not on what occurred," he said.

"It was never my intention to suggest that I condone foul play. That is the last thing I would ever do, and I apologise for creating any other impression."

South African rugby union president Oregan Hoskins added: "We would like to apologise to the rugby community for the erroneous impression that acts of foul play are in any way condoned by South African rugby.

"That has never been the case, and is not now, and we support strong actions by rugby authorities when such acts occur."

Comments (50)

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Dave Robb says...

De Villiers is showing himself to be a weak coach. He obviously hasn't the strength to stand up against the powerbase in the Boks squad. That was shown when he dropped Brussow who was the most influential player on the field in Durban and it is reinforced now as he embarrases himself by his foolish defence of the indefensible. Rugby needs to stamp this nastiness out by introducing mandatory long sentences for such behaviour. But as for De Villiers. He won't survive the first Boks losing streak. South Africa won the test series despite, not because of De Villiers.

Posted 23:36 30th June 2009

Craig Lee says...

Jannie Van den plaas if it had been us Brits doing that you would have been screaming from table top mountain for Justice berger could have blinded fitzgerald, 8 weeks he should have got more generally acts that are frowned upon by any standard of rugby are eye gouging, attacking some one when they can't defend themselves, stamping on someones head. any of these acts are never seen as part of any game. But at top class level with the amount of camera angles you would have thought the game would have been about the skill of the game, creating interest for new players all over the world

Posted 16:15 30th June 2009

Eli Gilmore says...

Kevin...clearly a Kiwi. Springboks are not an average side who bully their way to winning. They are a skillful team who play physically, putting their bodies on the line for the pride of a nation. A team who bullies their way to winning would not be World Champions TWICE...to NZ's once:) A side who bullies can be easily out played by skill...look at the Lions...

Posted 15:19 30th June 2009

Spencer Francis says...

All you South Africans here defending Burger and especially you De Villiers come to Wales and let me stick my fingers in your eyes and say that is fair!! And the Shoulder barge by Bakkies Botha was just cowardly Adam Jones was not even looking, how pathetic is he, id love to be in a ring with him for 5 minutes id show him some respect!!! The Lions only lost this tour because of the SA players and Managment bullying refferees, all your players where off thier feet at the breakdown and got away with it, one Lion does it and they are penalised. Oh and dont get me started on the so-called scrummaging beast, OMG Adam Jones taught him a lesson, in the 1st test he was bringing the scrum down unfairly on Vickery and yet again the ref who was on the other side of the scrum just listened to your scrum half and penalised him, this tour has been biased since the begining and the Lions should boycott touring SA from now on and go to Argentina instead, they are better opponents who show more respect and hospitality

Posted 12:44 30th June 2009

Kyle Logan says...

It's amazing how people comment on things with out actually getting the facts fr themselves. 1) Burger's hands where near the eye's, they didnt actually make contact. (watch the replays properly) 2) The 8 week ban is fair. However to the twit who made the comment about NZ playing fair... BWHAHAHA have you ever actually watched them play?? It amzes me that when one of them does something dangerous No ref has the guts to blow them up. during citings they always get lighter bansthan any other team. 3) watch the games closely... watch of the off the ball play and see how dirty the lions have REALLY been playing... I dont condone it from either side but they are guilty and the springboks have been very patient with them. Stop moaning this is a hard game and the niether the loins nor the springboks have ever back down, there is huge respect for the lions in SA and from the springboks just as the lions have huge respect for the springboks. 5) comment made by and Irish fan made me laugh... the irish are known as very dirty player's so dont try make one team sound better than another.... lastly) Devilliers should never been aloud to open his mouth... when he gets up to speak SA cringe's. he might be a good coach but he is NOT a good spoke's person!

Posted 12:21 30th June 2009

Wade Ashley says...

Kevin Lawrence ........ Boks with two world cups does not = average. NZ have one. Do your maths bud. When last were NZ World Champs?

Posted 12:18 30th June 2009

William C says...

Jannie, you are missing the point! British and Irish players have obviously been sent off for foul play and let me tell you they were not condoned! Alan Quinlan, who was supposed to be in the lions squad was banned for 12 weeks for eye gauging and it wasn't as bad or as obvious as Schalk's. Therefore it is not hypocritical to talk about this incident, especially when we are talking about this match in particular! I can accept the fact that SA have won the series but "no match"? Catch yerself on. Both matches finished within 5 points. The real difference is you are in your own back yard with a well gelled team who have been playing together for 5 years compared to 5 weeks.

Posted 12:10 30th June 2009

Max Ward says...

Despite Schalk Burger receiving an 8 week ban and a yellow card, I feel he has got off lightly. I support Northampton Saints and Neil Best was found guilty of making contact with the eye area of James Haskell of London Wasps, and was suspended for 19 weeks, resulting in him missing the majority of the season. Alan Quinlan committed the same offence and was given a 6 week ban, whereas Dylan Hartley was given a 6 month ban! Something isn't fair about that and the disciplinary committee need to be consistant!

Posted 11:44 30th June 2009

Simon Tebbit says...

in fairness to the Lions, it is not the players moaning about the eye gouging, but the press and supporters. He should have been red carded as it was such an obvious eye gouge and completely intentional. And yes if it was a Lions player, I would feel the same. It is a cowardly act and makes me as angry as when I see a footballer spitting at another player. Face it , the Lions deserved at least a draw if not the win.

Posted 11:08 30th June 2009

Whinging Pom says...

I really cannot believe the crass comments I am reading from so called fans of Rugby. South Africa just reverted to type on Saturday animals who consider eye gouging, breaking someone jaw and dislocating someones shoulder as part of the game. The sooner we leave them to rot the better. There are other countries that the Lions could tour who no doubt would welcome them with open arms. One other point. Quinlans eye gouging was not spotted by any ineffectual linesman, Burgers was and the fact that the ref considered it only a yellow card shows beggars believe. South African rugby won no friends at all on Saturday win or no win.

Posted 10:09 30th June 2009

Andy Slattery says...

My friend lost most of his sight in his eye from a gouging incident....he doesn't seem to think it was part of a man's game, shame he never caught up with the man as it was done at the bottom of a ruck. Burger was out of order, DeVilliers needs to see a Counsellor and well done to The Lions for carrying on a tradition which is so well supported and enjoyed by every supporter here and in the Southern hemisphere that actually knows anything about rugby. Certainly the local economy enjoy The Lions fans being there. No sour grapes, well done SA. I hope they all still enjoy coming over here to visit and work, it's always a pleasure to meet them.

Posted 09:04 30th June 2009

Morgan Kemp says...

Kevin, do you mean like the time they fairly and honourably spear tackled O'Driscoll in the last Lions tour, don't make me laugh. What Skalk Burger did has no place in Rugby, but the All Blacks are no angels and certainly not World Champions, World Champion Chokers maybe! Get real, rugby is a tough game and it is important to bully the opponent if at all possible to get the mental and physical edge, I'm proud of the way my boys play and we are all drilled as kids to go hard or go home. Maybe tiddly winks is the game for you mate.

Posted 08:46 30th June 2009

Andre Marais says...

Let's be fair here, Schalk Burger was wrong. As a South African I can honestly say it was a dark moment and not something that any of us as Bok supporters should condone let alone be proud of. As far as the other incidents go the Lions players and supporters should harden up and stop whinging about a hard game of rugby. The Botha incident was a case of two players playing hard and your player coming off second best. The Burger incident has given all the Lions supporters the chance to moan and groan, and boy have you guys taken that gap! The Springboks play this game physically and it works, dirty play can never be condoned but at the same time this isnt a game of netball. Peter Div is a clown but that doesnt mean the Springboks support his statements and or views. He's not even the coach, he's a puppet. The coaching credit belongs to Gary Gold and Dick Muir. Cant wait for Saturday!

Posted 08:29 30th June 2009

Kevin Lawrence says...

The boks have never been a creditable team, they have always had an average team with players no better than the rest.they have bullied there way to success for years,they should take a look at the real world champs from new zealand as how to play fair and win with flair and skill.

Posted 07:09 30th June 2009

Jannie Van den plaas says...

All you Brittish sissies that moan about the example Schalk is setting. Do you want to tell me that no Brittish or Irish player has ever in his life NOT been send off for foul play? You are all hypocrites!!! Just accept the fact that SA won the series and that the Lions are no match for the Southern Hemisphere¿s power houses of rugby!!

Posted 07:08 30th June 2009

Johnny Herman says...

It's funny that lions supports and the press only looks at the springboks. Nobody saw how andries bekker was hit between the legs by a england prop. That is very nice!!!!

Posted 07:00 30th June 2009

Wayne Greiner says...

I am not surprised in the least that Burger did what he did on Saturday, with a coach like De Villiers giving the green light for that type of play I suppose we can expect more of the same this Saturday. As a Bok supporter there is nothing better than beating any side from the NORTH especially "THE WHINGING POMS!" and if we take a few of them out of the game thats even better as long as its clean and within the rules of the game. There is no excuse for what Burger did on Saturday and the 8 week ban he has received I feel is very light. As for De Villiers as S.A.R.U. first non-white coach the only bit of advice I can give to you sir is this "The whole of the rugby and political world is looking at you right now and you have just gone from hero to zero, get a grip man!".

Posted 06:23 30th June 2009

Observer R says...

Im from S.A. Schalk was wrong (just as it was wrong of the 74 Lions to use call 99, which was even more despicable and premeditated). De Villiers was wrong to blindly defend him, but it's something all coaches do. Gatland said before the tour that O'Connell would bully the Springbok locks. Why on earth would he want to do that. Now a third of the Lions side is injured. Dont be an idiot and wave a red flag in front of the bull if you not prepared to take a goring.

Posted 05:30 30th June 2009

Tim West says...

At the end of the day the referee backed out of a big decision because it was early in the game. I still cannot understand how when the touch judge had spotted the eye gouging offence that the referee did not take the obvious action of sending burger off! Since Burger has recieved in my opinion a week 8 week ban, surely it must be outlined that eye gouging is a SERIOUS offence. Burgers ban should be lengthened, taking example from the recent cases of Quinlan and Dylan Hartley. De villiers comments were not taken out of context as it was plain to see from his interview that he said that foul play was part and parcel of the game today. He even compared a solid tackle to eye gouging! I mean seriously!? This guy has no idea what planet he is on! I agree completely that rugby is a contact game, but there have to be rules in any game, if you blur the boundaries where do you draw the line anywhere in the game??

Posted 00:27 30th June 2009

Gary Hazzard says...

re donny m: take knocks like men? does anyone remember the aussie sports minister practically throwing the loser medals at the aussies after the world cup.by the way i guess the only way you are going to win anything is by teaming up with the kiwis & boks!

Posted 00:05 30th June 2009
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