Three weeks for Horne's spear

 

Horne pleased guilty to the incident which earned him a yellow card from referee Jaco Peyper but was later found to have met the red card threshold for foul play.

 

Horne has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks up to and including Saturday, June 20 which will be the first round of Super Rugby play-offs.

 

The incident occurred in the 27th minute of the Super Rugby match between the Lions and Waratahs at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg on 30 May 2015.

 

In his finding SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Adam Casselden ruled that the tackle called for a six-week ban with a 50% reduction due to mitigating factors.

 

"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, and obtained their views of the incident. I then proceeded by establishing that the player accepted a breach for the cited offence and then identified the various factors involved in the incident.

 

"I considered the incident had an entry point in the low end range which starts at a four-week suspension for lifting tackles. I then added two weeks as a deterrent to send a further message that this type of tackle cannot be tolerated in the game due to the risk it poses to players.

 

"Mitigating factors included the player admitting guilt for the offence and demonstrating remorse for his actions. This, among other factors, entitles the player to a 50 per cent reduction, which results in a three-week sanction.

 

"The player is accordingly found to have contravened Law 10.4 (j) and is suspended for three weeks up to and including Saturday 20 June 2015," he concluded.