Lions forced into late change as young gun receives ban
TEAM UPDATE: The Lions were forced to make a late change to their starting XV for their United Rugby Championship clash against Scarlets after centre Henco van Wyk received a three-game suspension for foul play.
Van Wyk received a yellow card after his shoulder made contact with the head of Joe Davies in his team’s win over the Dragons last weekend.
Van Wyk will miss Sunday’s clash against the Scarlets and European Challenge Cup clashes against the Dragons and Stade Francais.
Sango Xamlashe will now wear the No.13 jersey on Sunday.
“The Citing Commissioner in charge reported the Lions’ Player [No 13] for an act of foul play related to Law 9.20 – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul: (a). A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul. (b). A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders,” said a statement from the URC.
“The Citing Commissioner also referred to Law 9.11 – A player must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm.
“The incident occurred in the 44th minute of the game when the player came into contact with Dragons RFC No.4 [Joe Davies]. The referee, Sam Grove-White [SRU] penalised the Player and showed him a yellow card.
“The citing report was brought to a full Disciplinary Panel hearing on Friday, December 2.
“The panel comprised of Robert Milligan KC [Scotland], Chair and Gordon Black [Ireland].
“On review of all evidence submitted the Panel concluded that the act of foul play did meet the red-card threshold but that it was reckless rather than intentional. A mid-range entry level for sanction was agreed upon leading to a suspension of six weeks.
“Taking into account the player’s clean disciplinary record, his remorse and acceptance of his actions the Panel allowed for maximum Mitigation of 50 percent to reduce the suspension to three weeks.
“The player is also eligible to participate in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention programme. Should he complete this successfully the suspension will be reduced by a further week to two weeks.
“The player was also reminded of his right to appeal.”
Lions-revised: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Ruan Venter, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Zander du Plessis.
Date: Sunday, December 4
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 UK & Ireland time; 11.30 GMT)
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Christopher Allison (South Africa)
TMO: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
