Bakkies Botha handed nine-week ban for head butt

Springbok lock Bakkies Botha will miss the remainder of the Tri Nations after being handed a nine-week ban by a judiciary hearing.

Botha was seen charging his head into the back of All Black scrum half Jimmy Cowan in the first minute of Saturday’s opener.

The incident initially went unnoticed by either referee Alan Lewis or his officials, but was replayed for the fans.

Botha was sin-binned mid-way through the first half for a professional foul but later returned to the game.

While his action was ruled as only “middle seriousness”, Botha’s previous record of misdemeanour led judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan to rule him out of the entire tournament.

The ban will last until 4 September, which is the date of the Springboks’ last Tri Nations match and one he was also banned for last year.

The Springboks were hoping that having Botha back would strengthen their side but they eventually went down 32-12 and must now look at a suitable replacement ahead of next Saturday’s second match-up.