Akker learns his fate after Durban fist fight

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: The Sharks will be without hooker Akker van der Merwe for the next few weeks after his fist fight with Schalk Brits.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Armand van der Merwe for contravening Law 9.12: A player must not physically abuse anyone, after he was red carded during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Van der Merwe has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including April 19, 2019.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the Round Seven match between at Kings Park in Durban.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Eroni Clarke assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC 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 9.12.”

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level. The evidence demonstrated the player contacted the opposing player’s head with multiple punches. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s good judicial record and the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.”

“The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including 19 April 2019.”

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.

*Schalk Brits will appear before a SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing on Tuesday.

Read below: Blues wing suspended

Blues wing suspended

Meanwhile, Blues wing Tanielu Tele’a has been suspended for four weeks for tackling Dillyn Leyds in the air during his team’s 24-9 win against the Stormers in Auckland.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Tanielu Tele’a for contravening Law 9.17: A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground, after he was red carded during a Super Rugby match at the Weekend.

Tele’a has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks, up to and including May 4, 2019.

The incident occurred in the 69th minute of the match.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Adam Casselden (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Eroni Clarke assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Adam Casselden 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, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the red card under Law 9.17.”

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of eight weeks due to the reckless actions of the Player placing his vulnerable opponent in an extremely dangerous position with the potential to cause significant injury. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s good Judicial record and the fact the Player has pleaded guilty 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 4 May 2019.”