Bulls Pierre Schoeman given six-week ban for biting in Super Rugby game

Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman has been suspended for six weeks after biting a Melbourne Rebels forward in a Super Rugby match.

The South African pleaded guilty to biting Rebels loose forward Richard Hardwick during the second half of Bulls' 28-10 win in Pretoria last Saturday.

Competition organisers said the 23-year-old showed remorse which helped halve a possible ban of three months.

The judicial committee chairman Adam Casselden said: "A player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting.

"The committee deemed the foul play merited a low-end entry point suspension of 12 weeks.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's early guilty plea, his good character, his good disciplinary record and his remorse the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to a period of six weeks."

Former South Africa under-20 international Schoeman will leave the Bulls after the Super Rugby season to join Edinburgh on a three-year contract.

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In 2016, Argentina loose forward Leonardo Senatore was suspended for 10 weeks after being found guilty of biting the arm of a Sharks opponent when playing for the Jaguares in a Super Rugby match.

Bulls are eighth in the combined Super Rugby standings and the top eight teams after the league season qualify for the quarter-finals.