Springbok Burger handed eight-week ban for gouging

06-30-2009 | AFP

Bakkies Botha was also banned for two weeks for dangerous charge on Jones

Panama Star Burger and Botha will both miss Saturday's third and final South Africa-Lions Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Burger, the IRB Player of the Year in 2004, will also miss the Springboks' first three games in the Tri-Nations.

Returning to play on August 23, he could however feature in the final three games of the round-robin tournament between the Boks, Australia and New Zealand. Burger, conspicuous by his flowing golden locks and known for his abrasive all-action style, was yellow carded after just 32 seconds of the game by French referee Christophe Berdos for the offence on the advice of touch judge Bryce Lawrence of New Zealand.

The Springboks conceded 10 points in the time Burger was off the pitch but went on to win 28-25 with the final Morne Steyn kick of the game, taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead into the Johannesburg Test. Springbok lock Botha was suspended for a charge in the fourth minute of the second half.