Watson to face the music
Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00
Luke Watson will have to answer some serious questions over his recent bizarre attack on his Springbok teammates, South African rugby, administrators and even the late Danie Craven.
It was confirmed on Thursday that the Western Province and Springbok flank, Watson, will be called to a South African Rugby Union disciplinary hearing in terms of the provisions of the SARU Code of Conduct.
This follows the iafrica.com report on his melodramatic outburst, in which he claimed that he felt so nauseated by wearing the Springbok jersey that he wanted to vomit on it.
Another claim he made was that "the problem with SA rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen", whilst Watson also suggested that SA rugby is "rotten to the core" and that "the men who sit on my left and right of me in the change room despise me for who I am".
In a statement on Thursday SARU said that Watson will have to face the music at a disciplinary hearing.
"Following an investigation by attorney Dekker Govender, he referred the matter to Judge Lex Mpati, chairperson of the National Judicial Committee of SARU, for adjudication in terms of Clause 4.3 of the SARU Code of Conduct," the statement said.
"This Clause makes provision for the matter to be referred to the chairperson of the Judicial Committee if the designated official determines that a breach of the Code may have been committed, pursuant to the SARU Constitution and Regulations.
"Judge Mpati will now, in terms of the provisions of the Code of Conduct, appoint a judicial officer to chair the hearing where after a date for the hearing will be set.
"SARU will make no further comment on the matter until the conclusion of the disciplinary hearing."