Johannesburg – Sharks centre Frans Steyn has been issued an off-field yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Kurtley Beale in their 32-10 victory over the Waratahs at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
“In assessing the circumstances around the incident, an off-field yellow card was considered the appropriate sanction as a suspension was not warranted for the offence,” Sanzar judicial officer Jannie Lubbe said in a statement.
Match referee Mike Fraser awarded a penalty for the incident which occurred in the 24th minute.
Steyn grabbed Beale by the bottom of his jersey and in the process of the tackle, the Waratahs player passed the ball to a team-mate.
After the pass, Steyn continued with the tackle by going to ground and swinging his opponent with him.
An off-field yellow card may be issued by the Sanzar citing commissioner for foul play incidents that are very close to, but in his opinion do not meet the red card threshold for citings.
“The citing commissioner correctly pointed out in his report that as a result of the late tackle, the Waratahs player was placed at risk of injury to his spinal and head area,” Lubbe said.
“Mr Gerrie Swart submitted on behalf of the player that the initial tackle was legitimate and that Steyn had no intent of causing injury to his opponent as he was not in a position to observe that the tackled player had passed the ball.”
Meanwhile, Waratahs winger Rob Horne copped a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Steyn in the 16th minute of the match.
“...Horne's right arm made contact with Sharks player Francois Steyn in the neck and jaw area with what appeared to be a swinging arm,” Lubbe said.
“The player pleaded guilty and accepted the sanction of one week which was reduced from two weeks due to the lower end entry point and the player's guilty plea.”
Horne will as a result miss the Waratahs' next match against the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday. – Sapa