Steyn 'not guilty'
Sharks midfielder Frans Steyn has been found 'not guilty' by a SANZAR judicial hearing on Monday.
This follows after the Springbok was red-carded for an alleged spear tackle in the Sharks' 12-11 Super Rugby win over the Chiefs at the weekend.
In a statement SANZAR said Steyn was cleared on the charge of having contravened Law 10.4 (j): Lifting Tackling.
The 27-year-old faced a SANZAR judicial hearing, after he was red-carded in the Round Six encounter in Durban.
The tackle, which was double-teamed with Cobus Reinach, took place after 28 minutes had passed.
It was a controversial moment, after TMO Marius Jonker recommended only a yellow card, to referee Angus Gardner.
However, the Australian – after reviewing the incident on the big screen and consulting with assistant referee Marius van der Westhuizen – issued a red card, his third of the match.
The hearing was adjudicated by Jannie Lubbe, via video conference, on Monday. Lubbe was assisted by Springbok De Wet Barry, the former hard-hitting midfielder, who acted as a judicial technical advisor.
In his finding Lubbe said he "carefully considered" video evidence, including additional video evidence and still frames submitted by the legal representative of Steyn, Gerrie Swart. He also considered the oral explanation of Steyn.
"It was concluded that Steyn did not act in breach of Law 10.4 (j). It was also found that two other Sharks players were involved in the tackle and that one of the players, Cobus Reinach, played a significant part in what appeared to be a serious and dangerous tackle.
"A detailed analysis of the execution of the tackle by Steyn clearly showed that he executed a perfectly legitimate tackle on Aaron Cruden, but that the intervention of his teammates applying additional and external forces to the dynamic tackle situation resulted in what the referee deemed to be a breach of Law 10.4 (j).
"This decision is not meant to be critical of the match officials who had to take and make their decision on the field of play without the benefit I had of additional video material and submissions by legal counsel.
"The referee and his assistant on the available evidence at their disposal came to the conclusion that Cruden got lifted in the tackle by Steyn and made contact with the ground with his head first.
"The video material before me clearly shows that Cruden made contact with the ground first with his right hand and upper arm, followed by shoulder and back. The momentum of the tackle then caused him to roll so that his head and neck made contact with the ground.
"As a result of this finding, the red card will be expunged from the player's record."
Thanks to all who supported me before today's hearing. @aaron_cruden never tried to milk it. Honourable man and world class# lifelongrespect
— Francois Steyn (@fsteyn12) March 23, 2015
