Punching Rebel in the dock

Rebel prop Laurie Weeks is facing a lengthy ban in the wake of his brain explosion against the Sharks at the weekend.

Weeks was handed a red card in his team's 21-25 loss to the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

The Rebels prop launched a flurry of punches on Sharks rival Jannie du Plessis, after the latter had slapped him with an open hand against the back of the head.

Du Plessis was yellow-carded for his part in the ensuing fracas, which happened just short of the half-hour mark, while Weeks was shown a red card for landing about 10 punches on various parts of Du Plessis' head.

Weeks will be have to appear before a judicial officer and will be charged with having contravened Law 10.4 (a): Punching or striking.

The case is to be considered in the first instance by SANZAR judicial officer Adam Casselden.

All SANZAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to a judicial officer hearing 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 judicial officer.

Due to the Rebels having to travel back to Melbourne, the judicial officer hearing will not be conducted until Monday.