Bakkies Botha will be available for the Bulls' semi-final against the Crusaders after escaping punishment at a disciplinary hearing.
Lock escapes punishment
Bakkies Botha will be available for Northern Bulls' Super 14 semi-final against Canterbury Crusaders this weekend after escaping punishment at a disciplinary hearing on Monday.
The lock was cited after television replays showed him appearing to slap Coastal Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski in the Bull's 27-26 win last Saturday.
Referee Craig Joubert took no action at the time and a SANZAR judicial officer has now ruled that there was no intent by Botha to strike Kankowski.
The Springbok, who has only recently returned from a three-week suspension, is therefore free to play in the knockout phase of the southern hemisphere championship.
Nevertheless, the Bulls must await the outcome of another hearing called after centre JP Nel was cited for a high tackle on Sharks fullback Stefan Terblanche in the same match.
Meanwhile, centre Wynand Olivier, who suffered a hip injury in a win that lifted the Bulls to top place on the final standings, faces a fitness test later this week.
