SOUTH Africa captain John Smit has slammed the "ludicrous" decision that has ruled Springboks hard man Bakkies Botha out of today's final British and Irish Lions showdown.

Botha and flanker Schalk Burger are suspended from the tour-ending encounter at Ellis Park.

Burger is sidelined for eight weeks after being found guilty of making contact with the face in the eye area of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald during last Saturday's second Test.

Botha, meanwhile, landed a two-week punishment for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones in the same game.

Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder and has been ruled out for six months, while Springboks management unsuccessfully appealed against Botha's ban.

But Smit has leapt to Botha's defence following an incident that many astute judges feel amounted to nothing more than the Blue Bulls forward legally clearing out Jones at a ruck.