South Africa captain John Smit has slammed the "ludicrous" decision that means Springboks hard man Bakkies Botha will miss the final British and Irish Lions showdown. Botha landed a two-week ban for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones in the second Test on Saturday, while flanker Schalk Burger was suspended for eight after being found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.

Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder and has flown home early, while Springboks management unsuccessfully appealed against Botha's ban.

But Smit has leapt to Botha's defence following an incident that many astute judges feel amounted to nothing more than the Blue Bulls forward legally clearing out Jones at a ruck.

Smit also claimed to have received support from Lions players and management.

"We are deeply saddened, and probably more angry than anything else with regards to the Bakkies Botha outcome," said Smit, who leads his country for the 58th time in the third Test tomorrow.

"I think we have to hope and pray that it is purely just victimisation of Bakkies Botha, and not the way the game is going.

"If it is not victimisation of Bakkies for the way that he plays the game hard, then a ruling like this could change this wonderful game we have for good.

"It is a great concern. The players are not happy, and we will stand together in this regard and make a point.

He added: "We've had support from the Lions management, who have also said they don't agree with the citing.

"We've had support from players in the Lions squad - and I've had support from players around the world who I have played with and against, who've also said it is ludicrous."

World Cup-winning captain Smit, one of the sport's most articulate and respected figures, suggests the Botha ruling warrants close scrutiny.

"Rugby union is a contact sport where there is no place for dirty or foul play, but it has a place for men - and women - to throw themselves into rucks, to tackle hard and run with the ball as hard as they can," he added.

"When (Springboks wing) Bryan Habana is running as fast as a cheetah down the wing, you don't want him to slow down in case the guy running into him making the tackle is going to get hurt.

"That's just the nature of the game.

"There is a fine balance. For a ruling to be made on a guy like Bakkies who went into a ruck from behind the gates with his arms bound without a shoulder charge, the unfortunate thing is Adam Jones got injured in the process, but purely because his arm was stuck in the ruck.

"This ruling does create a scary scenario for the future of the game."

A fraught build-up to the third Test this week, highlighted by suspensions and some outspoken comments from Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, raises a possibility of tomorrow's clash boiling over.

Smit, though, is determined to see a gripping Test series concluded in the right and proper fashion.

"Emotions are always going to run high in a series like this one," he said. "I think it has been a phenomenal series - two tight Test matches with one to go - and one of the more exciting series we've had.

"Every single one of our players will remember the series for the rest of his life.”

Smit also saluted the Lions. "The challenge the Lions have is far greater than any other team that has to play against either South Africa, New Zealand or Australia," he said.

"They spent the Six Nations smashing each other up and trying to gain ascendancy, and then they come together and have to create a brotherhood that needs to defeat one of those three teams.

"It sounds like the most unbelievable experience for a rugby player to be chosen in a team selected from four different nationalities, to make new friends and tour for six weeks.

"I can only imagine the kind of experiences they've had over the last six weeks - it must be phenomenal."