Sharks rugby player Lukas van Biljon has been withdrawn from the Springbok training camp that starts on Friday in Pretoria because of his involvement in a brawl outside a Durban nightclub early on Monday. Although a charge was laid, it was withdrawn on Wednesday.
SA Rugby Pty Ltd managing director Riaan Oberholzer said: "We have been made aware of allegations that Lukas was involved in a fracas. He has been removed from the training camp pending an investigation into the allegations."
The Sharks management said on Thursday said it was unaware of the incident.
However, 27-year-old Van Biljon has admitted that he was involved in the brawl but denied that he was the aggressor.
"Myself and two friends went out on Sunday night to celebrate my mate's birthday," he said.
"We left Joe Kool's about 2am. My friends had had a lot to drink and an argument broke out in the car park between them and a group of youngsters. A fight resulted and I stepped in to break it up. My friends were the aggressors. It was most unfortunate and I regret very much that it occurred."
Van Biljon's story has been corroborated by a 20-year-old man who was injured in the fight. He spoke to The Mercury on condition of anonymity.
"A group of us were walking to our cars when we saw these three big guys coming along. We had had a lot to drink and I can't remember how it all started, but there was an argument and then a fight.
"Lukas's friend, a guy with blond, spiky hair, was the main instigator. I do not recall Lukas throwing any punches."
A charge was laid against Van Biljon and his friends soon after the incident but was withdrawn on Wednesday.
Van Biljon was involved in a similar incident in June, so another bout of bad publicity is the last thing he needs before the Rugby World Cup squad is selected (the 30-man squad will be announced on August 30).
Van Biljon, formerly from Welkom, was disciplined by SA Rugby after a fight in an Empangeni nightclub.
It was reported that he had punched one patron and butted another, and that he had later damaged his hotel room.
Van Biljon has been capped 14 times and was a certainty to go to the World Cup in October.
It has not been a good week for the Sharks. On Wednesday night former Springbok AJ Venter was suspended for six weeks after being found guilty of punching an opponent in a Currie Cup match last week.