Rugby: Cowan 'provoked' Botha

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has defended lock Bakkies Botha, who received a nine-week ban for head-butting New Zealand halfback Jimmy Cowan in Saturday's first Tri-Nations rugby test in Auckland.

Irish referee Alan Lewis missed the incident, which happened following a tackle in the opening minute of the test, won 32-12 by the All Blacks.

De Villiers said yesterday that Cowan had "provoked" Botha by holding on to his jersey as the pair chased a kick ahead.

"TV took over the game too much," de Villiers said, querying what had happened before Botha head-butted Cowan.

"What happened before that? Nobody ever saw that on TV, how they pulled him back without the ball.

"If that penalty were made, nothing else would have happened."

However, de Villiers said there was no panic in the Springboks ranks following the weekend's disappointing result.

"The way you lose is not as important as how you stand up from such a defeat," he said.

"The guys know they didn't perform well, they remain proud and they realise that they have hard work ahead of them this week."

Wing Zac Guildford and halfback Alby Mathewson have been called into the All Blacks as they consider their injury concerns before the next test.

Guildford was dropped for the Tri-Nations after last month's tests against Ireland and Wales, while Mathewson toured with the All Blacks last year.

Team management have summoned them to the capital as they continue to assess injuries received by wing Joe Rokocoko, utility back Richard Kahui and Cowan on Saturday.

Kahui injured his right shoulder after falling awkwardly, Rokocoko has a minor hamstring strain and Cowan has an abdominal strain.

Kahui has been ruled out of the test in Wellington and Rokocoko and Cowan will continue to be monitored.

"Richard will have further medical tests on his shoulder this week to assess the seriousness of the injury but he will definitely be unavailable for the second test," said coach Graham Henry yesterday.

- NZPA