Ralapelle beats off Burger's citing
Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle was cleared to tour with the Bulls to Australasia, after a citing against him was dismissed.
A SANZAR judicial hearing on Monday found Ralepelle "not guilty" of contravening Law 10.4 (h) and 10.4 (k), after he was cited over an incident in a Super Rugby match at the weekend.
He was cited by Cape Town-based citing officer Freek Burger, following an incident in the 11th minute of the Bulls' 36-26 win over the Western Force at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last Saturday.
The judicial hearing, held via video conference on Monday, was heard by Jannie Lubbe.
In terms of the SANZAR rules, Shaun Payne, a former professional Rugby player in an advisory capacity assisted Lubbe.
Ralepelle was represented by legal representative Gerrie Swart.
Video evidence of the incident was viewed and the evidence of the Referee, Jason Jaftha and the citing commissioner, Burger, was presented during the hearing.
Lubbe ruled as follows:
* That Ralepelle executed a legal tackle on the Force player.
* On the available video evidence it is clear that Ralepelle did not join a maul or ruck situation.
* The video evidence supports the player’s account of the incident.
* In conclusion the finding is that the citing has not been proven on the balance of probabilities.
