Earlier this week it was confirmed that Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese has been suspended for four matches as a result of the the red card he received for a ‘headbutt’ against Italy.
Appearing at a full Disciplinary Committee hearing, Wiese accepted that foul played had occurred, but did not accept that the offence warranted a red card.
Nevertheless, the ban he received did not come as much of a surprise, and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus – who has previously raised issues with World Rugby’s former disciplinary process – admitted they could have no complaints.
“I thought the whole hearing this morning was top class,” Erasmus commented. “Jasper got his chance to be honest about what he thinks.
“The way the chair lady ran the whole thing was clear – just the way they listened to what Jasper said. I think getting four matches banned is fair.
“There can be excuses and other opinions, but we were really comfortable. There are good protocols in place with everything, from referee communication to laws to input on high-performance structures to the disciplinary committee.
“It’s four games, and we had a really fair trial, and easy to understand. So we are not happy for him missing games, but satisfied with how it was handled,” he emphasised.
When will Jasper Wiese be back?
The eighthman will be back in contention for selection for the last three Rugby Championship matches in September and October.
The ban will rule him out of the closing Incoming Series match against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday, as well as the first three Rugby Championship Tests against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively (16 and 23 August), and the first game against New Zealand in Auckland (6 September).
He will be free to play the second All Blacks Test in Wellington (13 September), and the two matches against Argentina in Durban and London (27 September and 4 October).
What do you think of the ban handed down?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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