Bulls threaten legal action
2006-10-17 22:15
Pretoria - Legal proceedings may be considered after a report in a Cape Town newspaper that Blue Bulls captain Gary Botha caused the injury that ended teammate Derick Hougaard's participation in last week's Currie Cup final.
The Blue Bulls have reacted angrily to the report in the Cape Argus.
Botha's agent, Peet van Zyl, had not seen the report by late Tuesday afternoon but did not exclude the possibility of legal action.
"I would like to consult some legal experts. If they feel it can be taken further we will certainly do so," Van Zyl said.
Botha was stunned when he was told of the report. "There is no way that it is true," he said. "Somebody is probably looking for sensation again. I can guarantee that I never stood on Derick."
Hougaard said the allegations were "the biggest nonsense I have ever heard."
The Blue Bulls' flyhalf was taken off the field shortly after halftime. This was after he had been hit, allegedly by an elbow, against the head and shoulders; not because he had been trampled in a ruck by Botha, as alleged in the report.
Hougaard was replaced by Morné Steyn, who breathed new life into the Bulls' backline.
Sensation seeking
"Whoever thinks such a thing (Botha trampling his own teammate) happened must be crazy," Blue Bulls coach Pote Human said. "This is shocking, outrageous and clearly sensation seeking."
Tommie Smook, the team doctor, confirmed on Tuesday that Hougaard had no stud marks on his head or shoulders.
"He took a hard knock to the head and shoulder; presumably when he was hit by the elbow of the Cheetahs' tighthead prop (Jannie du Plessis). He was momentarily confused and I decided that he had to be replaced."
Jonathan Kaplan, the referee, said on Tuesday he had penalised Du Plessis but did not find enough evidence of foul play to send him to the sin bin.
"It seemed to me as if someone was throttling Jannie. He tried to break free and knocked one of the Bulls. I did not think there was enough reason for a yellow card."
- Beeld