Springboks hooker Scarra Ntubeni apologises after slapping ball from ball boy's hands

Chastened Springboks hooker Scarra Ntubeni has apologised to a ball boy and gifted him a jersey after angrily slapping the ball out of his hands in a Currie Cup match.

A week after making his test debut against Argentina, the Western Province rake was roundly castigated for his petulance in Western Province's match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).

The 28-year-old slapped the ball away as the ball boy presented it to him before Ntubeni threw to a lineout with Western Province leading 33-19.

His mood was hardly improved as his side crashed to a 38-33 defeat and missed a Currie Cup semifinals berth.

Ntubeni sought out the ball boy - known only as Giovanni - the next day to apologise and present him with a Western Province jersey.

He also apologised on Twitter, saying: "So last night i did something totally out of my character and i take all the criticisms coming my way...I apologize to everyone who i disappointed, everyone who supports me and most importantly Giovanni..."

Ntubeni, who was born in East London, was first called up to the Springboks squad in 2013 but had to wait to this month for his debut. 

He came off the bench in South Africa's 24-18 win in Pretoria after Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus rested a host of World Cup probables after the Boks had already clinched their first Rugby Championship title in 10 years.