De Villiers-gate. Like it? It's the term I've chosen to categorise the whole Schalk Burger eye gouging affair from the Second Test in Pretoria. Let's recap quickly: South African Burger was banned for eight weeks after it was judged that he tried to gouge the eyes of Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald. Video replays provide damning evidence against the flanker and everyone from Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll to former coach Sir Clive Woodward has had their say on the matter.
As has South African coach Peter De Villiers. Eyebrows were most definitely raised when De Villers launched an impassioned defence of his player - his 'it's rugby, not ballet' comments are now certain to be immortalised in the game for the next few years at least. His point was that rugby is a contact sport, perhaps more than any other, and that a little rough play is part and parcel of the game.
Putting my diplomatic tie on for a second, it is possible to see De Villiers' point of view. Having witnessed his side go 2-0 up the series and with the superior, 'we're morally better than you' attitude of the British media, De Villiers may have been wound up by the stinging criticism of his player. It's symptomatic of the media in this country to seize upon a controversial incident in the wake of a sporting defeat. Perhaps it speaks volumes for our inability to accept defeat - either way, that's our problem.
Having said that, De Villiers' comments were ridiculously out of line. While the replays are hardly definitive, there is more than enough evidence to suggest Burger is guilty. Contact sport or not, eye gouging can have no possible place in modern rugby. De Villiers' assertion that Burger was not capable of such an offence is understandable for a coach wanting to defend his man but the heat of battle can force players to do injudicious things.
One thing strikes me, however, and it's a point I haven't yet seen in the popular press. Whether he was right or not, De Villiers' comments have had a profound effect on events. By creating such a media storm, he has deflected attention away from Burger himself. He may have been controversial in his words but he has ensured that the majority of the criticism will now focus on him - at least until the furore dies down.
It's a classic case of excellent man management and demonstrates De Villiers' fine ability as a coach. As much as I hate to praise the South African coach in light of what has happened, I'm betting Burger is profoundly grateful to his boss for averting the media spotlight away from him. If only he hadn't seen the need to go for poor Fitzgerald's eyes, there'd be no need for any of it.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph have taken matters into their own hands with an open letter to De Villiers himself - well worth a read.
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