Slap on the wrist for Bismarck

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Bulls hooker Bismarck Du Plessis had been handed a three-week ban after his red card against Munster in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Du Plessis was handed his marching orders in the 70th minute when he dangerously lifted Munster Alex Kendellen over his shoulders and tossed him over.

Fortunately for Kendellen, his fall was broken by players on the ground.

The Bulls went on to secure a 29-24 win during the Round six clash.

The 37-year-old Springbok appeared before a disciplinary committee and was suspended for three weeks.

However, URC revealed that Du Plessis already served the majority of his ban and will only be unavailable for one more game.

This means Du Plessis will miss the upcoming Currie Cup fixture against Lions on Wednesday.

URC released an official statement, confirming the news:

“The Player [Du Plessis] received a Red Card under Law 9.18 – A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

“The Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process, Robert Mulligan (Scotland) determined that the Player’s actions met the threshold of a red card and that the act of foul play warranted a sanction.

“However, considering the Player accepted that the act of foul play warranted a Red Card, previous record (one red card in his 374 previous professional games) and behaviour during the process entitled him to full (50 percent) mitigation.

“Bulls are scheduled to play five matches between March 12 – 26. As a result, the Player has been banned for a period of three games. ”