Schalk Burger refuses to apologise for gouging

Schalk Burger has refused to apologise to Luke Fitzgerald for gouging the Lions winger during the Second Test.

The Springbok flanker was banned for eight weeks for "making contact with the eye area" of Fitzgerald in the latest incident of eye gouging to blight rugby in recent months.

The International Rugby Board this week announced they will clamp down on the trend while reminding their judicial officers they must come down hard on those found guilty.

But despite his ban, Burger claims he was not guilty of gouging and did not refer to Fitzgerald in a statement that is sure to infuriate the Lions.

Burger said: "Through my life and career I have always approached the game with the intention only of playing it hard and fair.

"I am not a rugby thug and will never intentionally engage in eye gouging or similar illegal actions."