Heavy ban for Boks prop

Australian Elsom to miss Coca-Cola Park match due to suspension

Last updated: 26th August 2008

Van der Linde: Four-week ban

Related links

Teams

Also see

South Africa prop CJ van der Linde has been handed a four-week ban after being found guilty of dangerous play.

The Springboks forward was cited for striking Australia scrum-half Sam Cordingley with his head in the eighth minute of the Tri-Nations clash in Durban on Saturday.

Van der Linde will now miss the match against the Wallabies in Johannesburg this weekend after being suspended from all rugby until September 22.

Australia's Rocky Elsom will also not be taking part at Coca-Cola Park having been handed a one-week suspension by a SANZAR disciplinary committee.

Line-out

The flanker unlawfully interfered with South Africa captain Victor Matfield in a line-out during his side's 27-15 win and will now be forced to sit out of all rugby until September 1.

His absence gives head coach Robbie Deans another problem in the pack with Dan Vickerman already sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Centre Berrick Barnes is struggling with a similar problem and the pair will undergo assessments once the squad returns home after this weekend's contest.

Western Force lock Nathan Sharpe has been summoned from Down Under to join up with the squad.

Delayed announcement

South Africa had been due to name their team on Tuesday but have now delayed the announcement until Thursday because of several injuries in the camp.

Winger JP Pietersen was ruled out on Monday with a hamstring strain while skipper Matfield heads the list of doubtful starters after he suffered a groin injury.

Hooker Bismarck du Plessis is also undergoing treatment on a knee problem while star winger Bryan Habana is facing a battle to recover from the hamstring strain that forced him to miss last week's international.