Kwagga slapped with four-week ban
This follows an incident in the Lions' 17-25 loss to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Final at the weekend.
The SANZAAR foul play review committee accepted a guilty plea from Smith – for contravening Law 10.4(i): Tackling, pushing, pulling, colliding with or otherwise making contact with an Opponent who is jumping for the ball in a line-out or in open play where there is no realistic prospect of the player competing for the ball.
Smith was red-carded in the 38th minute, after having collided with a jumping David Havili.
Smith has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks, up to and including September 2.
The SANZAAR foul play review committee of Nigel Hampton (chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.
Hampton said he conducted a "detailed review" of all the available evidence – including all camera angles and additional evidence, including a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Attie Heyns, the foul play review committee.
While he upheld the ordering off (red card), he amended the charge from Law 10.4(e) to Law 10.4(i).
"With respect to sanction the foul play review committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of eight weeks,"the statement said.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors – including the player's good judicial record and the player's admission of guilt at the first available opportunity – the foul play review committee reduced the suspension to four weeks."
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.
