Lifetime ban for Durban wild man

By AINSLEY THOMSON

For avid Springbok fan Pieter van Zyl, it was a momentous day out in more ways than one.

It was the first time he had been to Durban's Kings Park, where he accompanied his brother, a Natal Sharks season-ticket holder, to the Tri-Nations game which the All Blacks won 30-23.

It will also be the last live rugby game he will see.

Midway through the test, in front of the 52,000-strong crowd and hundreds of thousands of television viewers, the heavy-set van Zyl appeared from nowhere to attack the referee, Irishman David McHugh.

McHugh was tackled and in the scuffle fell to the ground, dislocating his shoulder.

In quick retaliation, All Black and Springbok players slapped and punched van Zyl, dragging him off McHugh before two plainclothes security officers marched him away.

KwaZulu-Natal police arrested the 43-year-old father of three, who lives in Potchefstroom, about 100km south-west of Johannesburg. He owns a mining supply business and had played rugby when he was younger. "The whole of the stadium was mal [angry] with him [the referee]. It's just that I decided to do something about it," van Zyl told the South African Sunday Times from the back of a police van.

"Referees around the world think they are bigger than the game and they're not. Fans like me is what rugby is about."

McHugh said last night that he was feeling "not too bad, a bit shook".

The South African Rugby Union has banned van Zyl from any rugby game for life. Late last night van Zyl was freed on bail of 3000 rand ($667) after appearing in the Durban Magistrate's Court where he was charged with assault, grievous bodily harm and trespass.

He will appear again on September 9.

Asked about the incident following his appearance he told the Herald: "Of course I regret it."

But he said he had been advised by his lawyer not to talk to reporters.

Durban police said he was "moderately drunk" at the time of the attack but knew what he was doing. He was a "compulsive" person.

Inspector Michael Read said van Zyl had a few bruises on his nose and the left side of his face.

He realised the gravity of what he had done and knew it would tarnish the reputation of South Africa.

No charges were being pressed against the rugby players who punched van Zyl because they were defending the referee.

Van Zyl's sister, who would not reveal her first name, said he was usually "a very calm guy and wouldn't hurt a fly".

The incident was labelled the "ugliest moment in South African rugby history" by South African media.

The Sunday Tribune's front page banner read: "You Scumbag".

The Sunday Times said: "No amount of action, lip service or spin can disguise the utter embarrassment faced by South African rugby this morning. Why was the man allowed to enter the field and why was the security cordon so lax?"

Kings Park stadium manager Mornay Loubser was furious.

"This bloody visitor behaved in such an irresponsible and barbaric fashion. He told security personnel and police ... he was tired of the way the referees were treating SA players generally."

But some Springbok fans were not perturbed.

On the official South African Rugby Union website a message board was full of discussion.

A man calling himself Jake said referees had made a pact to screw South Africa.

"Yesterday a heroic South African spoke for all of us. I bet McHugh won't mess with South Africans again."

Another, called Hendrix, said: "I felt ashamed when I saw that guy go on the field and assault the referee. I mean, what's wrong with the guy?

"But then again, the refs from all across the world will remember this and won't penalise the Springboks for nothing ... right? Unless they want their shoulder dislocated as well."

The attack was the latest in a series of incidents which have disrupted rugby games, and has sparked further calls for a review of security at international matches.

In Rotorua three months ago a schoolboy tackled Australian halfback George Gregan during a Super 12 match. Two streakers disrupted play at the Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney this month.

With a game against South Africa scheduled for next Saturday, Australia rugby coach Eddie Jones said he wanted an assurance that security for his players would be adequate. "We'd like to see that they've got the necessary security and that they're proactive."

New Zealand Rugby Union general manager of rugby Steve Tew said the trend towards pitch invasions would be a priority topic at the next Sanzar board meeting.

Springboks manager Gideon Sam said the breaches were potentially dangerous.

"If that gentleman had a knife in his hand, we'd be talking about something else now. The passion of South Africans for sport should not lead to such over-reaction."

Rian Oberholzer, chief executive of South African Rugby, said there was a security presence of 419 people at the ground, and it was hard to imagine what other protective measures could be taken.

- Additional reporting: Angela Gregory, Scott MacLeod and agencies