Lavanini suspended for one week
Lavanini charged, knee first, into Cheetahs centre William Small-Smith – after Small-Smith had scored a try – in the 25th minute of the match between the Cheetahs and Jaguares in Bloemfontein on Friday, February 26.
Super Rugby's newcomers started their campaign with a nailbiting 34-33 win.
The SANZAAR Duty Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton accepted a guilty plea from Lavanini for contravening Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous charging, after he was cited following a Super Rugby match at the weekend.
Lavanini has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week up to and including Saturday, March 5.
"After initially reviewing the video footage, Citing Commissioner's report and other relevant materials, I heard from the player and his representatives, including his counsel Stephan Weyers," said Hampton. "The player accepted a breach of the dangerous charging law and identified the various factors involved in the incident.
"I considered the incident and the submissions made by counsel and formed the view that the charge, appropriately, should be amended to 10.4 (g) Dangerous Charging. I found the offence to have an entry point in the low end range which starts at a two-week suspension.
"I did not consider there to be any aggravating factors to take into account. I did take the player admitting guilt for the offence into account as a mitigating factor. This entitles the player up to a 50 percent reduction in sanction which I applied. This results in a one week suspension being imposed on the player."
