Bok receives ban for high shot on Fassi
DISCPLINARY UPDATE: Lions flank Ruan Venter will miss some key games over the next few weeks.
The Springbok received a four-game ban for his high shot on Aphelele Fassi during last weekend’s 23-22 win over the Sharks in Round Nine of the United Rugby Championship.
Venter was initially given a yellow card by referee Chris Allison. However, after the bunker review system, it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
The four-match ban includes the upcoming Challenge Cup matches against Lyon and USAP, as well as the trip to Wales against Ospreys.
He will also miss the Jukskei Derby against the Bulls in Johannesburg on January 31.
See the full disciplinary statement from the URC below:
The Disciplinary process related to Ruan Venter’s red card in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 9 game against Hollywoodbets Sharks on Saturday, January 3 has resulted in a four-game suspension.
After an act of foul play by Lions player No.7 (Ruan Venter), referee Christopher Allison showed the Player a Red Card in the 38th minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Ms. Rhian Williams), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Ms. Williams found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received two weeks mitigation due to his acceptance, remorse and exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process which results in a four-game suspension.
Fixtures Ruan Venter is unavailable for:
Lions v Lyon Olympique Universitaire, Saturday 10 January 2026, EPCR Challenge Cup
USA Perpignan v Lions, Saturday 17 January 2026, EPCR Challenge Cup
Ospreys v Lions, Friday 23 January 2026, Vodacom URC
Lions v Vodacom Bulls, Saturday 31 January, Vodacom URC
*Meanwhile, Scarlets lock Max Douglas received a two-game suspension for the red card he received in his team’s 5-28 defeat to the Dragons on January 1.
Douglas received his marching orders in the 40th minute of the game under Law 9.20b – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul. A Player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
