Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann has been handed a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle.
Flanker receives three-week suspension
Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann has been handed a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Hurricanes centre Conrad Smith.
The incident occured during the second half of
the Bulls' 19-14 victory in Wellington on Friday and resulted in Stegmann being sent off for a second yellow card.
He appeared at a SANZAR disciplinary hearing the following day where he was handed the three-week sanction by judicial officer Peter Hobbs, who made his decision after studying video footage and the reports of referee Matt Goddard, his assistants and the Hurricanes' medical staff.
Stegmann's suspension will cover his side's Super 14 fixtures against the Highlanders, Crusaders and Waratahs.
Initially it was feared that Smith had suffered a cheekbone fracture but, after hospital checks, he has been given the all-clear and could be available for the Hurricanes' upcoming South Africa tour.
Meanwhile, Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton was cleared of a charge of stamping or trampling during the same match.
Eaton, who accepted he had made contact with Bulls lock Bakkies Botha but denied it was stamping or trampling as described by the citing commissioner, was yellow carded at the time and Hobbs deemed that sufficient punishment.
