The following from SANZAR: South African lock Bakkies Botha has been suspended for nine weeks after he was cited for dangerous play during the Tri Nations Series opener, All Blacks v South Africa at Eden Park, in Auckland on Saturday.

Botha appeared before SANZAR Judicial Officer Dennis Wheelahan QC in Auckland on Sunday, after he was cited for striking with the head, following a tackle on All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan, in the opening minute of the Test match.  The All Blacks won the Test 32 – 12.

Mr Wheelahan said Botha admitted the charge, expressed remorse and had apologised to Cowan.

After considering video evidence, and hearing submissions from the player and his representatives, Mr Wheelahan deemed the offence to be in the middle range of seriousness, but he also took into account Botha’s record for previous offending.

In assessing the penalty, Mr Wheelahan took into account the fact that the proposed suspension would effectively rule Botha out of the remaining matches of the 2010 Tri Nations Series.

Botha has been suspended from all rugby up to and including 4 September 2010.

Bakkies Botha headbutts Jimmy Cowan: [ruggerdump]

Bakkies Botha has since expressed remorse:

Botha said he was devastated but accepted that he had acted outside the Laws of the Game, following his lengthy suspension,

“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 that 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 4 September 2010 and will return to South Africa today.