Johannesburg - The Appeal Committee has dismissed the appeal by Bakkies Botha against the finding of Breach of Law 10 (4) (j) - by dangerous charging in a ruck or maul without binding.
On appeal, the rules dictate that the appellant carries the onus of proof that the decision of the Judicial Officer should be overturned or varied - this onus was not discharged on the facts. As a result and on those grounds, the appeal was dismissed.
However in the course of comprehensive and able submissions by Mr Gerrie Swart for the appellant, a very important point of principle was developed as to the proper application of this Law and in particular when a player lawfully binds or attempts to bind for the purpose of this Law.
The Appeal Committee will set out its conclusion in a full decision as soon as possible. However that conclusion would not have influenced the decision reached.
The appeal against the penalty was dismissed.
On appeal, the rules dictate that the appellant carries the onus of proof that the decision of the Judicial Officer should be overturned or varied - this onus was not discharged on the facts. As a result and on those grounds, the appeal was dismissed.
However in the course of comprehensive and able submissions by Mr Gerrie Swart for the appellant, a very important point of principle was developed as to the proper application of this Law and in particular when a player lawfully binds or attempts to bind for the purpose of this Law.
The Appeal Committee will set out its conclusion in a full decision as soon as possible. However that conclusion would not have influenced the decision reached.
The appeal against the penalty was dismissed.