Former Springboks captain-turned commentator Bobby Skinstad has apologised for using the term "coconut tackle" when describing a hit by Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga which left both him and his Sharks opponent Lwazi Mvovo concussed.
Skinstad, commentating on the South African television broadcast, made the reference in the second half of the match won 18-12 by the Chiefs in Durban this morning after Masaga chased a high kick and clashed heads with Mvovo when attempting a tackle. Both players looked dazed and took time to recover from the impact but walked from the field.
While Masaga appeared to have simply mistimed the tackle, Skinstad was in no doubt who was at fault.
"Lelia Masaga has gone head high in an absolute coconut tackle straight on to Lwazi Mvovo and tried to take his head off," Skinstad said.
Chiefs loose forward Scott Waldrom, who was not required to travel with the team on their three-match tour of Perth, Bloemfontein and Durban, tweeted: "Does the SA commentator know that the term "coconut tackle" is actually a derogatory term??"