Rugby story by sport.co.uk, Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:57:12 GMT



South Africa coach Peter De Villiers has apologised for his comments that appeared to condone Shalk Burger's eye gouge on Luke Fitzgerald in Saturday's second test in Pretoria. Burger was sin-binned within the first minute for his attack on the Irish wing.The flanker has since been given an eight-week ban, but his coach had already launched two astonishing defences on behalf of the Springbok.



"I don't believe it was a card at all," stated De Villiers immediately after the game, which South Africa won 28-25 to clinch the series.




"In the first minute already there had been a lot of needle and if you watch the whole game you will see how many yellow cards they were let off.




"This is sport, this is what it's about. If things were clear-cut then we shouldn't even bother preparing for a game. Everyone is entitled to their opinion."



And on Monday De Villiers was at it again, claiming: "Rugby is a contact sport, so is dancing. So if some guys can't take it, make the decision. There are so many incidents that we can say we want to cite this guy for maliciously jumping into this guy's face with his shoulder but we didn't do it because we know that it's just a game.



"Look, if you're going to win games in the boardroom or in front of television cameras, then, look, do we really respect the game we know or should we go to the ballet shop for some nice tutus and get a great dancing show going? And then there will be no gouging, no tackling, no nothing."



But De Villiers has now backed down, apologising for his previous remarks.




"It was never my intention to suggest that I condone foul play," he said. "That is the last thing I would ever do and I apologise for that impression.




"Eye-gouging is something that we as a team will never be part of. The same applies to biting, head-butting, spear tackling or any other foul play that doesn't belong in the game."