Stormers' star binned
The Stormers' fiery utility forward, Rynhardt Elstadt, has been banned for one week for repeated yellow cards.
He will now have the tag of a 'serial offender' around his neck.
Elstadt was suspended by SANZAR judicial officer Mike Heron, who imposed a one match ban on the Stormers star under Rule 6.1 – for receiving three yellow cards in the Super Rugby season.
This follows after Elstadt was issued an off-field yellow card during a Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Pretoria on June 2, a game the Stormers won 19-14.
Elstadt has been suspended from all forms of the game for the week up to and including 30 June, with the effect of precluding him from playing his next scheduled match against the Lions on that day.
In his finding, Heron considered the circumstances of all three yellow cards, including the respective reports and footage of each incident, and discussed the same with the player and his lawyer Frikkie Erasmus.
It was accepted that the first two incidents were not serious incidents of foul play and his explanations of those were accepted.
The last incident (combined with the fact it was the third yellow card) was a matter which required further penalty in the view of the Heron.
After discussion Heron gave an indication of penalty of an effective one match suspension (taking into account each incident, all relevant circumstances and the playing schedule of Elstadt – which involved no further matches until the Super Rugby match on 30 June).
The player, after discussion with his coach, his CEO and his counsel, accepted this indication.
Elstadt will thus miss the Stormers' encounter with the Lions at Newlands on June 30.
