The International Rugby Board said Monday it will bring charges against the South Africa Rugby Union for alleged misconduct in breach of its regulations and code of conduct.
The charges stem from the Springboks decision to wear armbands in Saturday's third test against the British and Irish Lions marked with the words "Justice 4 Bakkies" to protest the two-week suspension for Bakkies Botha.
Botha was cited for a challenge on Lions prop Adam Jones which left the Welshman with a dislocated shoulder during the Springboks' 28-25 victory at Pretoria in the second test. The Boks appealed against the ruling and the ban but were turned down.
"The IRB takes the view that such an act demonstrates a clear disregard of the disciplinary process and does so in a manner which brings, or has the potential to bring, the game into disrepute," the IRB said in a statement.
The IRB said it has notified the South Africa Rugby Union that it intends to begin the disciplinary proceedings.
Lions forwards coach Warren Gatland said he also thought the ban on Botha had been harsh.
"We didn't have an issue with Bakkies Botha," Gatland said. "It was a very tough decision on him to be banned. Adam Jones didn't have a problem with it."
Piet Heymans, chief executive of the South African Rugby Players' Association, explained the armband protest on SARPA's Web site.
"Over an extended period of time numerous other players have charged into rucks without binding but were either not penalized at all or received only a penalty," Heymans wrote. "Bakkies hit a ruck just before this one in question in a similar style and was not penalized. Coaches are coaching players to hit rucks in this manner and therefore this is a major cause of apprehension."
Although the Springboks lost the third test 28-9, they took the series 2-1 after winning 26-21 in Durban and 28-25 in Pretoria.
