Kriel's huge sigh of relief
CLEARED: FLANKER ESCAPES FURTHER PUNISHMENT Lions name new frontrow to take on the Jaguares in front of their home crowd tomorrow.
Ace Lions flanker Jaco Kriel could hardly contain his delight after he escaped further punishment yesterday following a Sanzaar disciplinary hearing.
Kriel received a yellow card in the 25th minute of their Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday and was afterwards cited for a late elbow charge in the facial area of Stormers flyhalf Robert du Preez.
Citing commissioner Deken Govender thought Kriel deserved further punishment than what was dished out on-field by referee Jaco Peyper, who strangely apologised to the loose forward after consulting with TMO Shaun Veldsman.
“I am very thankful for the way in which Sanzaar and the panel handled my case,” said Kriel.
“I am just focusing on the game against the Jaguares at home at Ellis Park on Friday night.”
In his finding, judicial committee chairman Andre Oosthuizen ruled that he conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence.
“Hearing the player’s version and submissions from his legal representative, Frikkie Erasmus, the judicial committee concluded that the red card threshold had not been met to satisfy the citing,” he said. “The on-field yellow card was therefore considered as being sufficient and the player is therefore free to resume playing.”
Oosthuizen said the judicial committee found that Kriel came into contact with Du Preez in the course of Kriel attempting to charge down the flyhalf’s kick.
“We however believed that his action did not amount to an intentional late charge or obstruction and accordingly had not committed a transgression of Law 10.4(o).”
Kriel was as expected retained for the Jaguares clash in a starting outfit that shows four changes.
A new frontrow in Corne Fourie, Akker van der Merwe and Johannes Jonker was named, while centre Harold Vorster replaces the injured Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Fullback Andries Coetzee will play his 50th match.
Andries Coetzee, Madosh Tambwe, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (capt), Ruan Ackermann, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Johannes Jonker, Akker van der Merwe, Corne Fourie. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, Lourens Erasmus, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Jacques Nel, Sylvian Mahuza.