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Struggling South African Super 14 rugby team the Lions are in disarray with forwards coach Leon Boshoff suspended amid allegations he verbally abused players after last weekend’s flogging by the Stormers.
The Lions are preparing to host the Brumbies in Johannesburg in this weekend’s sixth round without Boshoff who is at the centre of an internal investigation.
The Lions crumbled 56-18 to the Stormers in Cape Town in round five and now sit 13th with just one win.
“Allegations have been made against Leon, but until our investigations are complete, we cannot comment further,” Lions chief executive Manie Reyneke said in a statement.
The team will not be replace Boshoff, while investigations are underway.
South African reports said the allegations relate to Boshoff verbally abusing some players and that it had been an ongoing issue.
“I don’t know anything about it. They have suspended me, but I haven’t got the facts yet,” Boshoff told South African journalists.
“It’s not about my performance. Manie (Reynecke) said they would have a meeting and come back to me; that’s all I know. I haven’t got any further comment to make at this stage.”
Media reports said Boshoff had given the team a dressing down after the Stormers defeat.
He is said to have targeted first-five eighth Earl Rose and prop Lawrence Sephaka, saying that despite their “poor performances they would go far because of their skin colour”.
Sephaka has played 24 tests for South Africa while Rose accompanied the Springboks on their tour of Britain last year, but did not play a game. He was the Lions’ leading points scorer in the Currie Cup and Super 14 last year.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ntentID=130839