Sharks second-row Ruan Botha has been banned for four weeks after he was found guilty of foul play in Friday’s encounter with the Jaguares.
The incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the match played at Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Botha of the Sharks for contravening Law 9.12: Striking with hand or arm, after he was red carded during the Super Rugby match.
Botha has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks, up to and including 23 June 2018.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy assessed the case.
In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee chairman Hampton ruled the following:
“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Adrian Montzinger, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.12.
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of 4 weeks due to the contact with the opposing Player’s head.”
“The Foul Play Review Committee added 1 week to the initial sanction as aggravation for the fact the Player was suspended for a similar incident less then 12 months prior. However, taking into account the mitigating factor of the Player’s guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 4 weeks.”
“The player is therefore suspended up to and including 23 June 2018.”
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