As expected, Bakkies Botha has received a nine week ban for headbutting New Zealand scrum half Jimmy Cowan in the second minute of yesterday’s opening round of the 2010 tri-nations. The suspension marks Botha’s fourth in as little as 15 months and now seriously jeopardises his international career through indiscipline.

As early as the second minute, Botha deliberately head butted the New Zealand scrum half after Cowan had pulled Botha’s jersey. Cowan had released the ball as Botha tackled the all black and as he fell on Cowan he appeared to wait for a second or two and then follow through with his head. Neither referee Alan Lewis or his assistants spotted the attack and it was ironic that 11 minutes later Botha was yellow carded for slowing the play down.

The South African second rower apologised during the hearing saying

“I sincerely regret the incident,” said Botha, who has been warned by his employers that his international future was on the line. “I have let my team, my country and my family down. I have done an injustice to the Springbok jersey and what it stands for. I apologise to Jimmy Cowan and the New Zealand rugby public for what happened. I truly regret my actions and will make sure that I put my extended time away from the game to positive use and return with the right attitude.”

New Zealand supremo Graham Henry thought Botha was lucky not to have received a longer ban

“Botha has got a history,” said Henry. “He’s probably lucky that he did not get more than nine weeks. It was one of those things that happens in a match which is not part of the game and it has been dealt with correctly. We just have to focus on this weekend’s game against South Africa in Wellington: we are surprised by the magnitude of Saturday’s result. The scoreline was blown out of proportion and I am sure things will be more realistic next week.”

New Zealand Muliaina; Jane, Smith, Nonu, Rokocoko (Kahui, 58); Carter, Cowan (Weepu, 54); Woodcock, Mealamu (Flynn, 78), O Franks (B Franks, 64), Thorn, Donnelly (Whitelock, 72), Kaino (Messam, 72), McCaw (capt), Read.

Tries Smith, Nonu, Read, Woodcock Cons Carter 3 Pens Carter 2.

South Africa Kirchner; De Villiers, Fourie, Olivier (Aplon, 72), Habana; Steyn (James, 70), Januarie (Pienaar, 75); Steenkamp, Smit (capt; Ralepelle, 72), Du Plessis (BJ Botha, 58), B Botha (Bekker, 51), Matfield, Louw (Rossouw, 51), Burger, Spies.

Pens Steyn 4.

Sin-bin B Botha, 13.

Referee A Lewis (Ireland). Attendance 25,000