South Africa’s Vernon Philander has made shockwaves on social media after he attempted to put Australian captain Steve Smith at fault for the incident that saw Kasigo Rabada banned for two Test matches.
In a tweet earlier today, Philander slammed the Aussie skipper for “trying some football skills to get a penalty”, and – somewhat paradoxically – claiming “he could have avoided [the] contact”, while also saying he “gave [Rabada] the shoulder”.
Philander concluded that Smith was “just as guilty” as the banned Proteas tearaway.
The news comes just one day after South Africa said they’d challenge Rabada’s two-match ban for a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Rabada appeared to make physical contact with Smith after dismissing him during the second Test at Port Elizabeth. After the match, he said felt bad about the incident, telling reporters, “if I do get banned, then I have to see it as a big learning curve.”
“I’ve let myself and the team down,” he said.
Match referee Jeff Crowe was quick to cite Rabada for the incident, fining the 22-year-old half of his match fee and issuing him three demerit points.
That took the paceman to eight demerits, which saw him dealt a two-game ban that has ruled Rabada out for the rest of the series. However, South Africa still have some hope of fielding him in the remaining Tests after opting to appeal the ban.
UPDATE: Philander has now distanced himself from the original tweet, claiming his account was ‘hacked’.
Stuart B
Roar Rookie
Twitter and Facebook accounts are known to have a serious security vulnerability in the short interval between posting something regrettable on FB or Twitter and realizing you've posted something regrettable on FB or Twitter.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
WG Grace was reported to be a habitual sledger, long before the Australians decided to select test players solely on their ability to mouth off.
DavSA
Guest
We in SA need to "learn how to behave ".....are you for real. SA is a country of 60 million people with the most diverse cultural mix on the planet. Just think about your statement generalizing everyone in your own minute prejudiced box.Actually in SA we use the word Doos for an empty container.
DavSA
Guest
Pedro read the rest of my post. Do you need therapy ?
Bakkies
Guest
Well Bakkies did get away with driving his shoulder in to Stirling Mortlock's head when he had his back to the play.
Yeah that justice4bakkies forced world rugby to penalise and ban all transgressors at the ruck, not just Springboks ?
Bakkies
Guest
'Philander has just shown himself to be a massive goose, and the South African’s have continued to show they just don’t ever accept they’ve ever done anything wrong.' Yep they will probably bring back the Justice for Bakkies arm bands that they wore for the 3rd Lions test in 2009 after Bakkies was banned for driving his unbound shoulder in a ruck clear out that dislocated Adam Jones' shoulder.
Bakkies
Guest
'If the charge gets downgraded, he’s not banned.' He faced two separate charges. The Warner one he pleaded guilty too and that would have led to a ban anyway due to his demerit points. Cop it on the chin and get ready for the next test.
Neville
Guest
New? No ?
Rob
Guest
Philander threw the ball and hit Smith after he blocked it back to the bowler. He was standing in his crease. It was accidental I think? Philander put his hand up as an apology but it was totally unnecessary at the same time.
Rob
Guest
Yep, Smithy milked the brush for everything he could, but Rabada is a tool for getting that close. Deserves a rest and good hard look at himself. He's let his country and teammates down with his stupid ego.
We’re the new villains in town ?
thomas c
Guest
South Africa need to learn how to behave. Australia have justifiably an awful reputation, but between justifying the Candice Falzon stuff (while she and her small children were in SA), the sonny bill williams stuff (inc implicating officials), inappropriate celebrations, having damaging footage leaked, team mates claiming it was a shirt brush, and players maligning the umpiring, it's just wall to wall crazy involving team, officials and complicit journalists. If you're going to plead being more sinned against than sinning, you probably shouldn't be giving the people you despise a run for their money. Gaining ascendancy with more behavior is a race to the bottom.
Zozza
Guest
You Aussies are a bunch of girls blouses. Poor little Steve Smith.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Bingo!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
So if he shrugged it would have been OK? Smith would not have expected any contact, especially from a bowler screaming in his face!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Very Good. Whomever did the hacking I am pretty sure that they will be found to have been an Australian (at least they will have heard about Australia and vaguely know where it is on a map).
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
BJ yes. AB is simply cow towering to the hosts as he usually does (he has to as he can't get a gig in Australia).
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Could you back up that claim with a year and date? I am thinking of nominating the team for a Nobel Peace Prize and your evidence may save me the trouble!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Maybe Rabada could shoulder bump Smith into the room or perhaps DeKock could stand behind the Tribunal door and whisper comments about the past of Smith's wife whilst simultaneously slagging off an uninvolved player from a different sport? That might work!