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Cape Town - In sensational scenes on Saturday evening, SuperSport analyst Ashwin Willemse has walked off set following an apparent disagreement with fellow presenters Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.
The incident happened following the Lions' 42-24 win over the Brumbies at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
While it's not clear what led to Willemse's obvious unhappiness, the former Lions and Springbok wing spoke of being labelled a "quota player" and refused to be "patronised by two individuals who played in an apartheid / segregated era".
Willemse went on to say he "can't work with people who undermine other people" and that he was "glad it happened on live TV so that people can see".
SuperSport host Motshidisi Mohono called the incident "unfortunate" as Willemse put down his papers and walked off camera.
In a matter of minutes the video clip went viral on social media.
Willemse, 36, played for the Springboks between 2003 and 2007, scoring five tries in 19 appearances.
In 2003 he was named SA Rugby Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year at the end of that season - despite only turning 22 a few months earlier.
#AshwinWillemse walk out of the #SSRugby studio on air.... pic.twitter.com/6NlPcub0Ti
— tys seyffert (@tys_seyffert) May 19, 2018
When you step off a plane and your phone has a meltdown from allllllll the text notifications. That. ????
— E L M A S M I T (@Elmakapelma) May 19, 2018
@Ashwinwillemse Bra, didn't I tell you about Naas? You defended him at the time. But now you know
— Ryan Vrede (@Ryan_Vrede) May 19, 2018
It was always going to happen on Live television. Ashwin Willemse i am so glad you finally put Nick Mallet and Naas Botha in their Place. @robertmarawa @Sbu_Mjikeliso @Couch_Krit @ntsabomluleki @ThabisoSithole @Veli_Mbuli #sonofthesoil ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/mtLHDTAiq0
— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) May 19, 2018
SHOCKER: @Ashwinwillemse walks out of #ssrugby studio after accusing Apartheid era @NaasBotha10 and Mallett of being "patronizing" pic.twitter.com/cJSuoV993V
— Neal Collins (@nealcol) May 19, 2018
