Tri-Nations
Div in trouble over Bees gaffe
2010-09-01 10:47
Craig Ray - Times LIVEJohannesburg - Peter de Villiers is expected to face a disciplinary hearing after his statement that the Springboks are 100% behind murder accused Bees Roux.
The Bok coach, appearing to speak on behalf of the players ahead of Roux's bail hearing in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday, said: "The team supports him 100%, not on the deed, but rather on the circumstances that led to the situation developing."
Several of the current Springboks are Bulls team-mates and friends of Roux, who was arrested in the early hours of last Friday morning for the alleged murder of a metro police officer in Pretoria.
According to SuperSport's
Brenden Nel, De Villiers seemed to imply that a misunderstanding could have led to the event, and felt there were other parties who were trying to use the Roux situation to hurt rugby and the Boks in particular by creating stereotypes about what rugby players are.
“People are ugly outside, they’re dirty and they try and use everything to stop us bringing hope to the people out there,” De Villiers said.
Roux was granted bail of R100 000.
De Villiers's remarks have provoked indignation and anger, but SARU president, Oregan Hoskins, said: "I have no comment to make at this stage, but I have seen the comments Peter made. I want the team to focus on Saturday's Tri-Nations game against Australia in Bloemfontein."
But The Times has learned that De Villiers might face charges of bringing the game into disrepute.
A senior rugby official said: "We are not only unhappy with what he said regarding the Roux incident, but also over his previous comments."