Esterhuizen hit with six-week ban
SHARKS centre Andre Esterhuizen was suspended for six weeks, dealing a heavy blow to his outside chance of becoming a Springbok.
A Sanzaar judicial committee found Esterhuizen guilty of a spear-tackle on Sefa Naivalu, in the 17th minute of Saturday’s 9-9 draw against the Rebels at King’s Park.
The reckless play earned Esterhuizen a red card.
The law says a player cannot lift an opponent from the ground and either drop or drive that player’s head and/or upper body into the ground while the player’s feet are off the ground.
At a time when most seasoned Springbok midfielders and other pretenders are out with long injuries‚ Esterhuizen’s good form had given him an outside chance of making the Boks’ June test squad.
Although his suspension will be over before the first test against France, on June 10‚ Esterhuizen will miss the Sharks’ remaining five Super Rugby matches before the international break‚ denying him a chance to make further claims for the national No 12 jersey.
Incumbent Rohan Janse van Rensburg recently suffered a knee injury and is out for 12 weeks.
Damian de Allende and Juan de Jongh are unlikely to be fit with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
In his finding‚ judicial committee chairman Michael Heron QC ruled: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence‚ including all camera angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative‚ Thembelani Mayosi‚ the judicial committee accepted a guilty plea from the player in respect of Law 10.4(j).”
“With respect to sanction, the committee deemed the act of foul merited a mid-range entry point of 10 weeks. It was deemed to be reckless in nature and placed the opposing player in an extremely dangerous position,” Heron said.
“In an aggravating factor‚ it was noted that the player was suspended for a similar offence in 2015, and subsequently one week was added to the suspension period.
“But‚ taking into account mitigating factors, including Esterhuizen’s excellent conduct throughout the judicial process‚ his on-field apology to the opposing player‚ his remorse and his guilty plea‚ the review committee has reduced the suspension to six weeks.”