The Springboks will know on Thursday if stalwart second row forward Bakkies Botha will be able to play for them in the third and final Test against the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Christo Ferreira, the SA Rugby Manager for Legal Affairs, confirmed on Tuesday that the appeal against the two-week suspension of Botha will be heard on Thursday.

According to Ferreira the appeal will be heard at 8am (SA time) via teleconference.

The Appeals Committee comprises of Nick Davidson (New Zealand, chairman), Dennis Wheelehan (Australia) and Richard Omwela (Kenya).

An IRB Judicial Hearing found Botha guilty on Sunday of transgressing Law 10.4 (j) by dangerously charging into a ruck without binding on a player.

The incident took place in the fourth minute of the second half during South Africa's 28-25 win in the second Test against the Lions in Pretoria and resulted in Lions prop Adam Jones leaving the field with a shoulder injury.

He was suspended for two weeks, effective until Saturday, July 11.

Meanwhile, the Boks confirmed that they are "concerned" about where the suspension of Botha could lead to in the game of rugby - suggesting it could rip out the character of the sport by removing the physical nature.

For that reason they have decided to appeal the ban.

Assistant coach Dick Muir said they are indeed concerned about the ban.

"We don't see any wrong-doing in that challenge," he said about Botha clearing out the Lions prop, Adam, Jones, in the second Test last week.

"There were a lot of other incidents that were tougher, that should have been a cited," Muir said, adding: "The ban has been a bit of a disruption.

"We realise it is a tough game, but what was disappointing for us was that there was no reason for it to be cited.

"We are concerned what rugby is coming to. It [clearing out at rucks] is a big part of the game and could change the face of the game," Muir added.

365

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