Shortly after the final whistle in the Bulls’ 29-23 loss to the Blues on Saturday night, Johannes Gideon Nel dodged security and threw a plastic bottle at the players, the Pretoria franchise said in a statement.
Nel struck Blues captain Keven Mealamu.
NZ Herald:
Mealamu was not injured in the incident, which happened at the end of the match after a spectator jumped the pitch-side fence and confronted him.
“He’s obviously a bit annoyed by it. He’s not happy but he’s okay now,” Blues coach Pat Lam said.
“He’s in a bit of trouble,” Lam said of the offender, a thin man of advancing years dressed in a Bulls jersey. “It’s in the hands of the police. They have the footage and everything and so we’ll just go through the process.”
Blues halfback Piri Weepu tweeted afterwards: “To the clown that jumped the fence and threw a bottle at Kevin’s (sic) head!! Your (sic) a loser!!”
The man was shepherded off the pitch by Bulls wing Bjorn Basson, who minutes earlier been injured by an illegal Rene Ranger tackle in the act of scoring a try in the corner.
A moment of disorderly behaviour by a Vodacom Bulls fan has resulted in the individual being arrested and removed from Loftus Versfeld as the Blue Bulls Company continue to crack down on fans that step out of line. Immediately after the final whistle in the Vodacom Bulls loss to the Blues last evening, Johannes Gideon Nel dodged security and threw a plastic bottle in the direction of the players, striking winning Blues captain Keven Mealamu. Nel was immediately arrested comments Blue Bulls Company CEO, Barend van Graan;
“We absolutely refuse to accept this unsportsmanlike behaviour and have arrested the individual. The Blue Bulls Company works tirelessly to create an environment that is friendly and fair to all ages, races and nationalities. We want to warn our fans that irrespective of our on field performances, we will not accept ‘fans’ taking out their anger on our opponents. We will respond to this matter timeously and follow the necessary procedures in order to ensure that this individual learns his lesson.”
Nel was immediately escorted to the security control room and later taken to the Sunnyside Police Station where a charge of assault has been laid upon him.
Van Graan concludes;
“We will continue to enforce even stricter security measures as behaviour like this is not welcome at Loftus.”
BonzaiGBS spoke to Keven Mealamu and Pat Lam for a long time last night… then it was time for the press conference with them and we all sat in as it was the presser with the Blues.
One of the questions asked, was about the farktup doooooooos who threw the bottle… Keven was very relaxed about it and basically said it could have happened anywhere in the Stadiums of Super Rugby and that it was no issue, something laughed off, something already forgotten.
So, in essence, it is a storm in a tea cup.
But, I hope Mr Nel gets his dues… he was swak, swak, swak!
One of the photographers at the game took some nice shots of the guy.
It is a storm in a tea cup, and, I am sure Mealamu is relaxed about it. Problem is it won’t be forgotten. Other countries love to see us as a bunch of louts and bad sportsmen, and this incidence, like Burgers ear biting, the ref ‘teckler’ (forgot his name), Corne Kriges reputation, etc. will just keep appearing whenever people want to show SA in a bad light. He is a prat, and as such should get a life ban in my book.
Just For Kicks wrote:
This guy was dealt with correctly, Bjorn did a great thing be stepping in, my opinion, but we are our own worst enemies. Already last night a lot of ex Rugby-talk posters like Ex Player , Boerboel and K9 and others was all on the bandwagon calling all Bulls supporters KOMMIN, OK with me, if little incidents like this is the only way they can degenerate the Bulls .
i dont want to deal with their calling us Kommin but the fact that this incident will be used by us South African to belittle one another and thus playing straight into the other SANZAR partners hands. We could do just like Kevin Mealamu forget this poor sods action and stop giving it the publicity it does not deserve.
This guy wont watch another game at Loftus again and so must it be to any other that try this stunt.
But i must be dreaming and live in utopia to think for one moment that serious grown up men will stop branding all Bulls for one stupid persons acts.
@ superBul:There’s an interesting comparison with what you say, and my industry – the wine industry. The rest of the world rates SA wines as some of the poorest around. Very sad, as we make some wonderful wines in this country. But the truth is, Journo’s are inherently lazy people, and if a story arrives on their desks, they will edit, and reprint it. Well, in SA, our wine journo’s spend their time slagging off the wines, labels, industry and worst of all, each other. These stories are picked up overseas, and reprinted, and hey presto, our image is tarnished. What I am saying is, we do it to ourselves as well, we slag each other off, don’t work together, and then get upset when all around us have a certain perception about us. Sad, but true, and that is why JG Nel is such a prat. He has just given the rest of the rugby world ammunition to the journo’s to slate us, and our friends Ex Player, et al are the reloaders for those self same journo’s.
Will we never learn?
@ Just For Kicks:
I watched two cricket games this last weekend, Australia vs Sri Lanka and New Zealand vs SA. The commentators find a way to applaud their own players and what they do. I sometimes just laugh at them , but the principle is they will not crack their own down.
@ superBul:So true
The Bulls apologised twice to the team afterwards, which was accepted by the Blues.
Blue Bulls Company CEO, Barend van Graan telephonically apologised to Mr Bryce Anderson, the manager of the Blues.
“Our High Performance Manager, Mr Ian Schwartz apologised to Blues captain Keven Mealamu at the post-match conference. Mr Mealamu not only accepted his apology on behalf of the Company, but was also impressed with the way in which we immediately sorted out the matter.
“I have spoken to Mr Anderson and apologised on behalf of our board of directors, managers, Bulls team and supporters. I am delighted that Mr Anderson and Mr Mealamu have accepted our apology for this unfortunate incident.”
Bulls captain Pierre Spies sent an apology on twitter to the Blues team, saying: “Just want to apologise to Kevin Mealamu & Blues team for the incident with one of our fans- shouldnt happen mate, you’re a good man.”
Basson added his opinion with a plea to fans to remain calm at games.
“Fans really means a lot that you want to stand up for us players but please do not throw things at the opp. It’s not cool and does not help!”
This is the first time that I have seen GBS, I thought that he would look different.
@ Loosehead:Thats because he hasn’t got his ten gallon cowboy hat on!
http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Fan-throws-bottle-at-Keven-Mealamu-during-Blues-vs-Bulls-match-in-Pretoria/tabid/317/articleID/246037/Default.aspx
JfK, I think it was eye gauging, not ear biting. And Corne Krige’s time is long gone. Almost ten years now.
Fact is, it was still an eye gauging (kinda unconfirmed, but lets add it). A Bulls player killed a cop last year. Bakkies Botha head butted Cowen from behind, and has served numerous suspensions. Joost snorted coke off of a hookers ass.
Last year a Sharks player threw a jug of beer at Stephan Donald.
Please add any other incidents you would like.
I know we are not the only “dirty” players out there.
But it is the off-field antics that everyone around the world knows off. And remembers. This is bull-sh*t (no pun intended).
Something must be done by SARU.
@ Greenpoint-Gunner:You’re quite right, it was eye gauging – just getting carried away!
It is excellent to see how the Bulls have handled it, and the limelight now seems to have been taken off the incidence and onto the Bulls management, which is excellent. I just hope, that as you mentioned, the toothless SARU take heed of the Bulls actions, and do the same themselves
That’s an embarrassment to South African rugby, even those comments of the supporters by the fence are wrong. Fans like that should rather stay at home and watch the game…
@ steven:On a different tack, slightly, and I by no way condone this, is there a link between fans behaviour, and the ref’s? A whole new debate!!!!!
@ steven:
There is.
If the Bulls had won the game would those fans still have done what they did?
Fans naturally blame the ref for some calls and outcomes of the game, even if the ref was right or wrong.
I think the way those fans acted was influenced by the ref, but they should have more self control and class to keep comments like that to themselves.
steven wrote:
Meant @Just for Kicks 🙂
@ superBul: Super….I wouldn’t get in a froth about what other bloggers are saying….all of those guys would be saying things “tongue in cheek”….as lovers of the sport in South Africa they are right up there with the rest of us. Calling Bulls supporters KOMMIN is merely a particular brand of humour at play….and it comes from the English speaking sector of our community where it is seen as supportive and caring if one mocks your friends misfortune. Succinctly they would not be mocking you if they didn’t consider you a fellow lover of the game and ultimately a friend. Bedaar ou maat and take it from whence it comes. Not for one minute do I think this idiot who threw the bottle at Mealamu is representative of the average Bulls supporter. The average Bulls supporter is polite, well mannered and hospitable and extremely knowledgeable about the game. Loftus along with Kings Park is my favourite South african venue for watching rugby. I remember an incident on the stands of Loftus. I was there with some American friends who had just arrived from Texas. I was wearing a Natal tracksuit top and my American mates bought Shark caps to support my team. While we were sitting in the stands a paper jet was thrown at me by a youngster….I just ignored it. Out the corner of my eye I saw an older man go and talk to this youngster….who shortly after came over to me and said “ek is jammer Oom”. I assured him it was fine and appreciated the apology. I am not so sure a Bulls supporter would have got the same courtesy at Kings park or anywhere else in the country for that matter. My American friends commented on the incident surprised at the courtesy shown. I was then in a position to say ” South Africans are probably the most hospitable people in the world”. The rest of their trip around the country confirmed that…..Those 3 guys who mocked you…in turn…often get mocked by others and it is all in the spirit of the sport……What concerns me is that the fan didn’t throw an orange thus sticking to an even older tradition of things thrown at New Zealand players… 😉 I also remember flour bombs being dropped on our players and protesters invading the field and throwing things in new Zealand in 1981….The Kiwi rugby fans got hold of the protesters and kicked the sh!t out of them. So I reckon the Kiwi players and fans are deserving of our respect….especially as current world champions. “a luta continua”
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