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Auckland - South Africa lock Bakkies Botha will face a judicial hearing on Sunday after he headbutted All Blacks scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan during their Tri-Nations opener at Eden Park on Saturday.
Video: Bakkies headbutts Cowan
The incident, in the second minute of the match, was not seen by referee Alan Lewis or his assistants, although it was replayed several times on television and the screens at the ground.
New Zealand won the game 32-12.
Botha was cited for dangerous play after the match by SANZAR citing commissioner Scott Nowland, the competition's ruling body said in a statement, and he will appear at a hearing before judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan in Auckland on Sunday.
Cowan had pulled Botha's jersey as they both ran back for a loose ball. Botha tackled the scrumhalf, who cleared the ball to a supporting player.
Television replays showed Botha appearing to pause after completing the tackle before launching himself at Cowan, striking the back of his head.
Botha was yellow carded in the 13th minute for persistent infringing as the Springboks mounted a desperate goal-line defence with the hosts pushing for a try.
The Springboks face New Zealand again in the second match of the Tri-Nations next Saturday in Wellington.
They then head to Brisbane for a clash with Australia on July 24.
Considering the incident was off the ball and appeared to be a blatant move to injure Cowan, Botha is likely to be banned for some time.
The player’s record is usually taken into account when handing down suspensions. Botha was banned for four weeks earlier this year after his illegal clean-out of fellow Springbok Gio Aplon in the Bulls’ Super 14 loss to the Stormers at Newlands.
Video: Bakkies headbutts Cowan
The incident, in the second minute of the match, was not seen by referee Alan Lewis or his assistants, although it was replayed several times on television and the screens at the ground.
New Zealand won the game 32-12.
Botha was cited for dangerous play after the match by SANZAR citing commissioner Scott Nowland, the competition's ruling body said in a statement, and he will appear at a hearing before judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan in Auckland on Sunday.
Cowan had pulled Botha's jersey as they both ran back for a loose ball. Botha tackled the scrumhalf, who cleared the ball to a supporting player.
Television replays showed Botha appearing to pause after completing the tackle before launching himself at Cowan, striking the back of his head.
Botha was yellow carded in the 13th minute for persistent infringing as the Springboks mounted a desperate goal-line defence with the hosts pushing for a try.
The Springboks face New Zealand again in the second match of the Tri-Nations next Saturday in Wellington.
They then head to Brisbane for a clash with Australia on July 24.
Considering the incident was off the ball and appeared to be a blatant move to injure Cowan, Botha is likely to be banned for some time.
The player’s record is usually taken into account when handing down suspensions. Botha was banned for four weeks earlier this year after his illegal clean-out of fellow Springbok Gio Aplon in the Bulls’ Super 14 loss to the Stormers at Newlands.
