Publications
Partners
Gerdie Karstens
Kimberley – Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter has hit the headlines again – and not for the right reasons.
England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), who reprimanded him earlier this year for comments about referees, are apparently considering acting against him about his behaviour during Saturday’s away match against the Leicester Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the RFU have ordered a probe into the behaviour of Venter and South African hooker Schalk Brits during the match at Welford Road, which Saracens won 32-23.
Local supporters were unhappy with Venter’s behaviour and complained to the Tigers.
The former Springbok centre apparently stood upright in Saracens’ coaching box and in doing so blocked the view of some of the spectators.
To make matters worse, he reportedly waved, blew kisses and bowed to spectators before going to stand next to the touchline four minutes before the end.
Venter hit the headlines five months ago when he criticised a referee’s performance in Saracens’ defeat in the previous game against Leicester.
RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew then said about Venter: “We can’t go down a track where senior figures in the game do not show the game respect.
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to be positive role models for clubs, players and supporters.”
Brits has already apologised for an obscene hand gesture directed at spectators when he left the field in the second half.
“We are awaiting the referee’s report and any official complaint by the Leicester Tigers of their supporters before we decide which steps, if any, will be taken,” an RFU spokesperson said.
Brits described his behaviour as “out of character ad unacceptable” and appeared to be genuinely sorry.
However, Venter’s attempt to make light of his behaviour as a “joke” was less convincing.
The behaviour of both detracted from a match in which Leicester’s sequence of 31 consecutive home victories was ended. Tigers coach Richard Cockerill did not have any complaints afterwards.
“We got exactly what we deserved and it was a defeat,” said Cockerill.
Kimberley – Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter has hit the headlines again – and not for the right reasons.
England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), who reprimanded him earlier this year for comments about referees, are apparently considering acting against him about his behaviour during Saturday’s away match against the Leicester Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the RFU have ordered a probe into the behaviour of Venter and South African hooker Schalk Brits during the match at Welford Road, which Saracens won 32-23.
Local supporters were unhappy with Venter’s behaviour and complained to the Tigers.
The former Springbok centre apparently stood upright in Saracens’ coaching box and in doing so blocked the view of some of the spectators.
To make matters worse, he reportedly waved, blew kisses and bowed to spectators before going to stand next to the touchline four minutes before the end.
Venter hit the headlines five months ago when he criticised a referee’s performance in Saracens’ defeat in the previous game against Leicester.
RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew then said about Venter: “We can’t go down a track where senior figures in the game do not show the game respect.
“It’s everyone’s responsibility to be positive role models for clubs, players and supporters.”
Brits has already apologised for an obscene hand gesture directed at spectators when he left the field in the second half.
“We are awaiting the referee’s report and any official complaint by the Leicester Tigers of their supporters before we decide which steps, if any, will be taken,” an RFU spokesperson said.
Brits described his behaviour as “out of character ad unacceptable” and appeared to be genuinely sorry.
However, Venter’s attempt to make light of his behaviour as a “joke” was less convincing.
The behaviour of both detracted from a match in which Leicester’s sequence of 31 consecutive home victories was ended. Tigers coach Richard Cockerill did not have any complaints afterwards.
“We got exactly what we deserved and it was a defeat,” said Cockerill.
