PRETORIA - Brian O'Driscoll has added his voice to the criticism of Springboks coach Peter de Villiers over his stance on Schalk Burger's gouging offence.
De Villiers initially denied Burger had done anything wrong in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.
The flanker received an eight-week ban, and O'Driscoll said: "To hear the South Africa coach talk about gouging being part of the game was semi-repulsive.
"I just find it appalling. I truly find it a disgrace," added the Lions centre.
Burger was found guilty of "making contact with the face in the eye area" of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.
TV footage showed Burger's fingers making contact with Fitzgerald's eye inside the first minute of the match in Pretoria.
De Villiers later issued an apology for defending Burger's actions and the South Africans will not be appealing against the player's suspension. (PA)