South Africa’s players and management faced charges of alleged misconduct after wearing armbands in the third Test against the Lions on July 4 in a show of support for banned lock Bakkies Botha.

The Springboks were furious after Botha’s appeal against a two-week ban for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones was thrown out, prompting their protest at Ellis Park.

The South African Rugby Union, the Springbok players and management were charged with allegedly breaching the IRB’s code of conduct and regulations relating to the game.

The three-man disciplinary committee features two legal experts in Retired Honourable Justice John Hansen (New Zealand) and Judge Guillermo Tragant (Argentina) plus former Australia captain John Eales.