Kurt-Lee Arendse learns his fate after red-card offence

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok utility back Kurt-Lee Arendse has been suspended for four matches after he received a red card in his team’s 26-10 win over the All Blacks in Nelspruit.

The 26-year-old was sent off by referee Angus Gardner in the 75th minute after he misjudged an aerial challenge with Beauden Barrett, knocking himself out and causing Barrett to fall awkwardly.

A SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Arendse for contravening “Law 9.17: A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground”.

Arendse has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including September 17.

It means he will miss this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks in Johannesburg as well as matches against Australia in Adelaide (August 27) and Sydney (September 3). He will also miss South Africa’s clash against Argentina in Buenos Aires (September 17).

The Foul Play Review Committee of Michael Heron QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

In his finding, Committee Chairman Heron ruled the following: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Attie Heyns, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the red card under Law 9.17.

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee considered the act of foul play was reckless, highly dangerous and had a considerable impact on the victim player.

“The Committee accepted it was not deliberate and after considering all relevant factors decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of eight weeks.

“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s clean judicial record and his acceptance of guilt at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to four weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for four weeks, up to and including 17 September 2022.”

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.