Wallabies captain George Gregan is baffled by the eight-week ban handed to South African forward Bakkies Botha as the fallout continues from Saturday night's Tri-Nations battle in Brisbane.

The Springboks did nothing to soothe Australia's anger when they left for New Zealand, claiming the Wallabies' reaction to the spiteful match was "totally unacceptable" and that South Africa doesn't play "like a bunch of sissies".

Gregan questioned the length of Botha's ban for attacking the face of Australian hooker Brendan Cannon, which will cost him only one Test appearance and enable him to play in October's World Cup.

"Personally I can't see how you can get eight weeks for attacking someone's eyes," Gregan told Sky News.

"I think that's probably the last thing you can do in rugby."

Cannon and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who led the assault on the Springboks, would not comment publicly on Botha's ban or the four-week penalty handed to South African prop Robbie Kempson for a late and high tackle.

But Jones stood by his claims the Springboks were "a disgrace for international rugby" following the allegations of biting, eye gouging and spitting.

Australian Rugby Union managing director John O'Neill also refused to comment on the bans as relations between the Wallabies and Springboks plummeted.

South African team manager Gideon Sam did not apologise and he did not address Cannon's claims he was bitten during Australia's 29-9 victory.

Cannon said he still had "a big set of fang marks" on his right shoulder but the player responsible for the nasty bite mark has escaped without penalty because television footage was unavailable.

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