Durban attorney must decide if Bok should face a disciplinary hearing A Durban attorney has been appointed to investigate alleged remarks by Springbok flanker Luke Watson that has caused a stir in South African sport.

Dekker Govender was yesterday appointed by the SA Rugby Union. Watson’s contentious remarks were allegedly made at a private function on the University of Cape Town campus last week and were published in Sunday papers and on various websites. Govender must now decide if there is evidence to hold a disciplinary hearing.

Watson, reports claim, said that rugby was “run by a bunch of Dutchmen” and that he wanted to “vomit on it [Bok jersey]” .

“Durban attorney Dekker Govender has been tasked with investigating the allegations and weighing the evidence to determine if they merit a breach of the South African Rugby Union code of conduct,” the SA Rugby Union said in statement yesterday.

“If a breach is identified, the player will face a disciplinary hearing.”

The union would not put a time frame on the investigation, but Western Province, Watson’s employers, said that it would take priority.

The touring Springbok squad to Britain is scheduled to be named after the Currie Cup final on October 25 and Watson was expected to be a member. Recent events could have an influence on his position if Govender finds there is a case to be heard.

Watson has denied that he hated Afrikaners, but did not distance himself from the quotes contained in the reports. He did, however, question how his remarks entered the public domain and said that he was consulting legal opinion.

“When first hearing of the statements attributed to me, and the manner in which they were obtained, left me with a feeling of absolute disgust,” Watson said in a statement.

“This was a private discussion on transformation. It was unlawfully recorded and unlawfully distributed and I therefore reserve my rights and have consulted legal opinion on this matter already.

“For some elements to attempt to turn this into an attack on Afrikaans people is both disingenuous and despicable. We as an entire family have historically fought against discrimination of any sort.”

Whatever the official outcome, Watson’s position at Springbok level has become precarious. Bok skipper Victor Matfield made his feelings clear after hearing about Watson’s comments.

“I was hoping we were past the stage when people were differentiated from one another according to race, culture and language. If Luke used those words, he shattered the dreams of millions of young South Africans.”

Craig Ray

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