The Following from SANZAR: Outcome of Disciplinary Hearings

Victor Matfield:Vodacom Bulls lock Victor Matfield was found not guilty of foul play after being cited following Saturday’s Vodacom Super 14 match against the Brumbies in Pretoria. The Vodacom Bulls defeated the Brumbies 50-32.

Matfield appeared before a SANZAR Judicial Committee which was chaired by Advocate Jannie Lubbe in Pretoria on Monday. He was represented at the hearing by Stephan Weyers.

The Vodacom Bulls lock was cited under Law 10.4 (a) for striking Brumbies flanker Rocky Elsom around the head area in the 16th minute of the match.

Law 10.4 (a) states:

Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including
the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
Sanction: Penalty kick

SANZAR Judicial Officer Advocate Lubbe viewed the available video angles and deemed that Matfield cleared Elsom in a lawful manner. As a result, he will be available for selection for the Vodacom Bulls’ next Vodacom Super 14 match against the HSBC Waratahs in Pretoria on Saturday

Sione Lauaki:Chiefs No.8 Sione Lauaki has been found guilty of dangerous play after being cited following Friday’s Vodacom Super 14 match against the Lions in Johannesburg. The Chiefs defeated the Lions 72-65.

Lauaki has been suspended for two weeks for a spear tackle. Lauaki was cited under Law 10.4 (j) for lifting Lions centre Deon van Rensburg in a tackle in the 13th minute of the first half and not lowering the player safely back to the ground.

Law 10.4 (j) states:

Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst
that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body
come into contact with the ground first is dangerous play.
Sanction: Penalty kick

Lauaki received a yellow card from referee Marius Jonker for the offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge and his defence argued that the yellow card issued by the referee was sufficient punishment.

Advocate Lubbe, after considering all relevant facts and available video evidence on a balance of probabilities, deemed that the referee’s decision was wrong and as a result, Lauaki was suspended from all forms of the game from February 19 to March 6.

That means he misses the Chiefs’ next two matches. The 1st against the Western Force in Perth next Saturday, February 27, and the next against the Reds in Hamilton on Friday, March 5.

Willem Stoltz: Lions lock Willem Stoltz has been suspended for one week for foul play. Stoltz was cited under Law 10.4 (a), for striking Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche in the face area with his elbow in the ninth minute of the game.

Law 10.4 (a) states:

Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including
the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
Sanction: Penalty kick

Stoltz was penalised and warned by the referee. He pleaded guilty to his charge and defence also argued that the actions of the referee were sufficient punishment.

Advocate Lubbe, after viewing the available video evidence and after taking into account the relevant facts on a balance of probabilities ruled that the referee should have issued a sterner reprimand and as a result, Stoltz was suspended from all forms of the game from the February 19 to February 27.

He misses the Lions’ first match on their five-match Australasian tour, against the Hurricanes in Wellington next Saturday, February 27.