April 27, 2008, 20:15
Springboks Bryan Habana, Wynand Olivier and Bakkies Botha threatened to go on strike and withdraw themselves from selection if Botha was not released from the Bulls to join French club Toulon.
The allegations form part of the 144 pages of affidavits which Botha gave in as supporting documentation for his claim at the Labour Court to have his contracts with the Blue Bulls and SA Rugby declared null and void. Details of the letter, which was drafted by IRB Player of the year Bryan Habana's father Bernie. The application, which appears before the Labour Court on Wednesday, will determine whether or not Botha is able to take up a lucrative offer from French club Toulon and is seen as a test case for rugby contracts in the country.
Habana snr was mentioned several times in the documents, which include several emails and letters to the Bulls. According to the documents, Botha admits that Habana snr, who acted as his agent, did give him bad advice, but also that Habana submitted a grievance on behalf of Habana, Olivier and himself that was never sorted out by the Bulls. Habana, in his affidavit, admits that he negotiated a contract with the Sharks in 2006 against the rules of the IRB as Botha was under contract to the Bulls. - Sapa
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