SA Schoolboy gets 12-week ban

The player, who has not been named, shoulder-charged referee Ricus van der Hoven during the match between Middelburg THS and Nelspruit High School.

The player was called to a disciplinary hearing on Monday, May 29 and was charged under Law 10.4 (m) & (s), in that he shoulder charged the referee with the intention to cause injury. He pleaded guilty and apologised in writing for his actions.

He was subsequently found guilty on the charge and following some mitigating factors presented on his behalf, he was sanctioned with a 12-week ban, in which time he will not be allowed to part take in any rugby match.

He will only be eligible to play rugby on August 11 again.

Mpumalanga Rugby Union released a statement on Puma.co.za, stating they condemn the violence on and off the field and view this issue in a very serious light.

Roelof Kotze from the Mpumalanga Rugby Union said as a union, they believe there is no place for these actions in or near rugby in Mpumalanga.

"School boy discipline is normally left to the Mpumalanga High Schools Association to deal with, but where our match officials are involved, as was this case, we will step in and discipline the players. Incidents like these reflect poorly on rugby and World Rugby’s stated core values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect," said Kotze.

CEO of Mpumalanga Rugby, Pieter Burger said that examples set by adults on the club level and professional level are key to stemming this unacceptable trend in the beloved sport.

"The Mpumalanga Rugby Union views these transgressions as very serious, and we will not stand idle whilst individuals tarnish the image of our beloved game," said Burger.

Source: Puma.co.za