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Johannesburg - Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has expressed remorse after being suspended for nine weeks for an incident of foul play in the Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
Botha appeared before a SANZAR Judicial hearing in Auckland on Sunday morning after being cited for striking All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan with the head following a tackle in the opening minute of the Test match.
Botha said he was devastated but accepted he had acted outside the Laws of the Game.
"I sincerely regret the incident," Botha said. "I have let my team, my country and family down and I have done an injustice to the Springbok jersey and what is stands for.
"I apologise to Jimmy Cowan and the New Zealand rugby public for what happened. Rugby is a physical sport but it has to be played within the boundaries and spirit of the law. I truly regret my actions and will make sure I put the extended time away from the game to positive use and return to playing with the right attitude".
SARU's Manager of National Teams, Andy Marinos, expressed the organisation's disappointment.
"SARU views any incident of foul play in a very serious light. Bakkies remains an important player in Springbok rugby and I have discussed with him the extent of his actions and the implications it could have on the team, himself personally and his family," Marinos said.
Botha has been suspended from all rugby up to and including September 4th and will return to South Africa on Monday.
