Gerdie Karstens and Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – Springbok wing Bjorn Basson will attend Monday’s hearing in Cape Town with a bitter taste in his mouth.

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At the hearing, Basson, hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, and their legal representatives will have to explain how the prohibited stimulant methylhexaneamine ended up in their bodies during last year’s end-of-season tour in Europe.

Both were sent home after the Test against Ireland.

Basson told Sport24 in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the treatment and support that he and Ralepelle had received from the South African Rugby Union (Saru) since their suspension in November 2010 has been shocking.

“I am dissatisfied with the manner in which we have been treated. Saru’s arrangements for our return was absolutely pathetic,” said Basson.

“From the time that we got to the airport in London everything was just one big mess. There was only one seat available on the flight to South Africa. Chiliboy and I then had to decide between us which one of us would only fly later. I came back first.”

The former Griquas wing said that it was not the only humiliation he had to endure.

"I only received my kit bag with all my rugby kit, including boots, from Saru in the new year. I had get on the flight in London with only my takkies, a few toiletries and a few additional pieces of clothing because there was not space for my luggage."

Basson said the worst thing was having to handle the media virtually by himself on his return.

“There was only one Saru representative, and that did not help in terms of getting me out of the firing line. I walked into the media by myself. It leaves a very bitter taste, because we were all part of the same team, even if we were sent home,” said Basson, who got married last Saturday.