News

A delay in CJ`s appeal

Thursday 28th August 2008

Over and out: Van der Linde could well have played his last Springbok Test

CJ van der Linde's appeal over a four-week suspension has had to be delayed as SANZAR have failed to provide SA Rugby with the reasons for suspending him in writing.

Wallaby flanker Rocky Elsom had his appeal heard on Thursday, and was subsequently cleared to play this weekend. However Van der Linde has had to remain patient in his appeal.

"It is completely unsatisfactory," said Andy Marinos, manager of national teams.

"We wanted to look through the reasons of his suspension before lodging an appeal but have to date not received it. We simply cannot appeal on a bland SANZAR media release.

"We don't know why answers have not been forthcoming."

Marinos has requested that SA Rugby's Christo Ferreira follows up the reason why there was a delay in the proceedings.

The suspension will not influence the further participation of CJ van der Linde for the Springboks, as it remains highly unlikely that his full four-week suspension would be set aside. This is the Boks' last Test before the end-of-year tour in November.

And with Van der Linde heading to Ireland at the end of the Tri-Nations it looks as if his Test career has come to an end.

"We wanted to appeal and possibly have his sentence reduced for CJ's future and his disciplinary record," added Marinos.