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Boks threaten boycott: report
RugbyHeaven - New Zealand's home of Rugby news, coverage, video & pictures | October 20, 2008 - 2:04PM
Boks threaten boycott: report - rugbyheaven.com.au
The Luke Watson affair is blowing up in South Africa with a newspaper report suggesting some Springboks will boycott the coming tour of Europe if the loose forward is selected.
Watson has inflamed tensions in the republic with a speech where he said he felt like vomiting over his Springboks jersey after he was controversially selected last year.
There were also suggestions he referred to the Afrikaaner element of the game there as "Dutchmen" in a subsequent question and answer session.
Watson's speech is the subject of an investigation to see if he breached the Springboks' code of conduct.
But it seems some players might be prepared to take matters into their own hands.
According to Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag, players in Durban, Gauteng and Cape Town are ready to withdraw from the tour if Watson is selected.
Angry at Watson's speech they reportedly asked captain John Smit to relay their feelings to Springboks coach Peter de Villiers at a meeting last Friday.
While Watson was forced on Springboks coach Jake White last year, the Western Province player has won favour with de Villiers this season where he was involved in their test programme, including the Tri Nations.
But de Villiers gave a hint of his feelings last week when he told a corporate breakfast that no individual would come ahead of the team.
De Villiers added that while individuals were entitled to their opinions he wouldn't compromise the team ethic because of an individual.
The Springboks are facing tests against Wales, Scotland and England.
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