The Springboks’ team hotel had to be evacuated on the eve of their Test against Wales after a suspect package was found in one of the players’ laundry.
According to the Daily Mail, the package was found hidden in between a player’s laundry by a hotel staff member while the Boks were at their captain’s run on Friday.
The police were called in and immediately evacuated all the floors above and below the ground in question, before driving to the Millennium Stadium to question the Boks.
Three players, including Jesse Kriel, were taken back to the hotel and their rooms searched when a Burka outfit was found, which raised further suspicion.
It was later revealed that the suspect device was a ticking clock and that the Burka belonged to Kriel, who bought the outfit to wear after the match on Saturday night.
All three players and the Springbok squad were warned by the police, but escaped further sanction.
The Boks declined to comment, but the Hilton hotel confirmed the incident in a statement.
‘At 2pm on Friday 23 November, there was an incident where our housekeeping team discovered a suspicious package in one of the bedrooms. She notified hotel management, and as per our protocol, we evacuated bedrooms above and below the floor in question and contacted the police immediately.
‘They investigated promptly, and fortunately, quickly gave the all-clear. Our guests’ safety is naturally of paramount importance, but we are sorry for any inconvenience, and we’re grateful to South Wales Police for their swift response.’
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
