De Villiers suspended for two weeks

18 July 2010 (07:17)

Jean de Villiers © Gallo Images

South African wing Jean de Villiers has been suspended for two weeks for a dangerous tackle during the Springboks' 31-17 loss to New Zealand in their Tri-Nations test on Saturday.

De Villiers had been cited for an alleged lifting tackle on All Blacks winger Rene Ranger in the 27th minute of the match.

He appeared in Wellington on Sunday before judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan, who found De Villiers guilty after he considered submissions from the player, his representatives and video evidence, governing body Sanzar said in a statement.

De Villiers was suspended until August 1 and will miss the Springboks' next Tri-Nations match against Australia next Saturday in Brisbane.

He is the second Springboks player to be banned in this year's competition. Lock Bakkies Botha was suspended for nine weeks after he admitted headbutting All Blacks scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan in the 32-12 loss last week at Eden Park.

Read more on the Tri-Nations page.

Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

by skudu July 18, 2010 08:44 GMT

Ye ye same old story, SANZAR doing there utmost nit to be bias. Plonkers

by Johannes de Kock_63 July 18, 2010 09:43 GMT

You joking? lifting tackle.. its rugby.. if he dont stay on his feet its his problem....great tackle

by Nic schoombie_98 July 18, 2010 10:27 GMT

I took some time off to ponder this: the All Blacks are probably on their best form and the Springboks did not make it for a second time...I am disappointed but not worried. What does dismay me is the continous acceptance of disinterested , biased or ineffective refs. I am sure top class teams can read this within 15 minutes and start to use it in their favor. A movement should be set afoot to discipline these killers of the game and to name and shame those who appoint them and then allow them to act without any censure. We the supporters should act. Judges are subject to closer censure , even though the judiciary is supposed to be above interference. Nic Schoombie

by neil porter July 18, 2010 11:18 GMT

It was all the refs fault that the Boks lost. I suggest the Boks just keep playing the same type of game. Please keep doing it.

by Nic schoombie_98 July 18, 2010 11:29 GMT

I did not make that simplistic statement. A ball game is not dominated by one side forever..please contribute to keep our shared passion for the game on a high and unquestionable level. NS

by Nicholas Hunter July 18, 2010 17:15 GMT

Reffing can lose you a game by a try or a couple kicks. Not 31-17 or 32-12. Bakkies shouldn't be headbutting people and Danie shouldn't be wiping his fingers in people's eyes and kicking at them. That's easy rugby right there. You can't control what other people do. You can control what YOU do. Boks looked sluggish and uncoordinated and lost twice and deserved to. That said, I hope they pick it up and come back with a vengeance!

by William Orr July 18, 2010 17:18 GMT

I find the perfomance of these referees substandard for the last two games, it seems to indicate a strong prejudice against South Africa, just review the films and then make your decision. I am a US Rugby fan, born in South America. Those yellow cards completely overturned the games plans in favour of New Zealand.

by Travis Mcgarry July 18, 2010 17:23 GMT

Also not worried about Spingbok rugby, I agree that the AB have raised the bar of rugby, and I'm stoked about it. Last year the Bokke raised the level, I'm just excited for when the Bokke "smarten" their game to the new level. AB deserve the victories I just feel sorry for the Northern hemisphere being left behind. Just wish the few odd players would "clean" up their dirty off the play habits, it stains the rest of the teams proud image. Go Bokke

by Hendrik Van Der Linde_72 July 18, 2010 19:38 GMT

Any NZ commentary on this rediculous ban to one of the most respected players in the game? None.......? I thought so...... He even went down with the player to bring his feet down safely.

by Jason Fell July 19, 2010 01:23 GMT

The rule is above horizontal. It should have been a penatly during the game and nothing more.

by yardbirds63 July 19, 2010 01:33 GMT

I 'm a NZ AB supporter ( also a huge Stormers supporter ) and this suspension of John was very surprising and mind boggling...to say the least! Bakkies suspension was warranted, but John's.....c'mon!

by Matthew Brink July 19, 2010 03:40 GMT

Who's John Kiwi boy?

by Eugene ?? July 19, 2010 09:42 GMT

John Duhvillages, thats who!!

by wesley chibaya July 19, 2010 21:19 GMT

His name is at the top of the page. Jean de Villiers.

by Jon Goalder July 19, 2010 22:55 GMT

I agree that the refereeing in the past two games was sub standard. Further, I have no idea why Alain Roland still has a referee's licence. That said, I felt this same frustration during last year's LIon's and TN but felt it was the Lion's/AB that were the victims (esp with Roland as ref). I am a fan of the game and am preferential to the AB based on their exciting brand of ball. As I have told my players many times if you don't want the ref to take the game from you, play clean, shut your mouth and score tries; it's the score at the end that matters.

by Brendon Joseph July 19, 2010 23:59 GMT

Its disappointing that they can cite DeVilliers tackle on ranger but not Ranger's or lack thereof on Kershner. If people will be cited for anything it should be across the board with the same rules regardless of team.

by yardbirds63 July 20, 2010 08:22 GMT

Hmmm?.....not a Kiwi boy....never been to NZ. So I misspelled "Jeans" first name.....Thats what happens after a late nighter and a few pints... = ).

by Justin Parkinson July 20, 2010 21:23 GMT

I think the difference between Rangers tackle (that certainly appeared to have arms in it from where I watched) and de Villiers tackle, was that one got punished on the field, and the ref (displaying his typical bias and disinterest) turned a blind eye to the other one. The tackle was clearly dangerous according to the rule book, lifted, turned past 90 degrees, and driven into the ground. I just wish it had been dealt with at the time, rather than left to those vultures in the courts.

by Hal Kinney July 25, 2010 23:11 GMT

Well, after having read ALL the comments from the Bok's fans, it's a strong case of "sour grapes" it seems to me! Could it possibly be the South African 15 just doesn't have it during this year's Tri-Nation competition? New Zealand not only won two matches, the All Blacks kicked the Bokkie's butts! Is it necessary for South Africans to cry "foul" only when their side is buried? Yeah! That must be it, "SOUR GRAPES!" What are you crybabies gonna' say when the Wallabies also kick your team's posterior? A impartial observer in Northern California, USA.

Name:
Email:
Comments: