Sinbinned Springbok claims he was victimised

By WYNNE GRAY

Butch James' latest sinbinning will increase the Tri-Nations friction between New Zealand and South Africa and place the five-eighths' unconventional tackling under extreme inspection on Saturday against the All Blacks.

James believes he was victimised for his defensive style in New Zealand during the Super 12 because no Kiwi sides qualified for the playoffs.

"There was a lot of whingeing there [in NZ] and then the refs started looking for me," James told the Herald last month.

His impression would have gained more substance on Saturday when New Zealand referee Steve Walsh warned him twice and then binned him for his "no arms" tackling method. The Springboks were upset before the Perth test when they claimed James had been warned to tone down his aggressive hits. Coach Harry Viljoen would not identify which match official issued the warning but was adamant it was a caution.

"Of course it was or otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned it," he said.

Viljoen and captain Bobby Skinstad (also binned for repeated professional fouls) claimed that James had been unfairly targeted by the referee during the 14-all draw with the Wallabies.

"Did you see the replay? There was nothing wrong with that tackle," said Viljoen after James was binned for shoulder-charging George Smith. An angry Skinstad thought James would have been the difference between the Tri-Nations rivals had Walsh not singled him out.

"I think he has been marked and I think it's completely unfair on a developing player like him to be singled out like that in a game," said Skinstad. "We played 25 per cent of the game with 14 men and they still couldn't beat us."

While James may have been unfortunate to get a yellow card for his final clash with Smith, his two earlier cautions were justified and should have been enough warning.

In a rugged game, the Springboks got the benefit of the doubt when Mark Andrews was awarded a try despite his foot going into touch. The Wallabies scored late through Nathan Grey.

The draw has left the Tri-Nations in the balance. The All Blacks play the Springboks at Eden Park this weekend, in a game to be controlled by Peter Marshall, then the Wallabies in Sydney in the final test of the series, on September 1.

Before the Springboks hosted the All Blacks in Cape Town last month, Viljoen admitted he had sent James to remedial tackling class. James was coming off a two-week ban after a dangerous tackle during the Boks' second test against France.

"We want to get it right because we can't afford to play a man down," Viljoen said then. "I think it is a mental or impulsive habit he has built up over time. When we first selected him we did not think it was a problem. But we found out it was and have worked hard on it."

Centre Robbie Fleck, who has a tender ankle, is the only injury concern for the Springboks, who are due to arrive in Auckland early today. The All Black squad will assemble today, apparently without the recovering Christian Cullen. The starting XV will be named on Wednesday.