Luke Watson was booed by the home support at Newlands © Getty Images

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Controversial South Africa flanker Luke Watson endured a torrid time as he packed down for the Stormers against Saracens on Sunday, with sections of the Newlands crowd booing his every touch of the ball.

The Stormers won the game 43-33, with Watson crossing for a try and receiving jeers from the 25,000 spectators. Watson has just returned to playing following his controversial comments whilst appearing as a guest speaker at the Umbumbo Rugby Festival at the University of Cape Town Rugby Club on October 3 2008.

Watson was alleged to have said "the problem with South African rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen", while also suggesting that South African rugby is "rotten to the core" and also that he wanted "to vomit on the Springbok jersey".

SA Rugby had charged Watson with misconduct, prompting an investigation but were unable to proceed with the case.

"It is something that everybody here has different reactions to," Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus told The Cape Times "When he scored the try, half cheered and half booed. If there are persons who would like to put their energy into something like that for 13 games, it is up to them.

"They must know that if we pick somebody inside the team, and he is on the park, then everything has been sorted out and the team is happy. If you are a real supporter, you will support the team and their decisions. I think it will fade away."

Erasmus also had a parting shot for the South African hierarchy. "I can tell you of a few people who have done much more wrong - if he did anything wrong - and they are playing now and are in dominant positions in SA Rugby," he said. "They are not getting booed when they are on TV and on the park. So we are happy with the way the team is performing, all 26 of them."

The Western Cape provincial government has also spoke out, slamming the fans that took it upon themselves to jeer Watson. "I was deeply angered by the conduct of sections of the crowd," Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Cameron Dugmore told The Cape Argus. "The issue of the Springbok emblem has been a deeply divisive issue in South African rugby. Luke Watson has expressed his views on the issue, a view which many South Africans also share.

"The vitriolic attacks against him in the media from mainly white South African supporters have attempted to demonise him, creating an attitude of intolerance and hatred."