Tue 19 May 2009 | 01:28

Bakkies Botha cited but cleared after face slap on Ryan Kankowski

Bulls lock Bakkies Botha was cited this past weekend after he lashed out at Sharks eighthman Ryan Kankowski in their exciting Super 14 meeting in Durban

The Bulls won the match 27-26, ending on top of the table, denying the Sharks the win and a crack at making the Semis themselves. The match got off to a ferocious start, with this incident taking place within the first few minutes.

The hot-headed Botha faced a disciplinary hearing on Monday afternoon following his lashing out at Kankowski with an open hand. He was subsequently cleared of any further punishment by the judicial committee though, after the defence argued that Botha pushed, rather than deliberately struck Kankowski with a slap.

The Judicial Officer took into consideration the fact that the referee was in full view of the incident, and ruled that their was no intent to strike, but that the Bulls lock was simply trying to release himself from the grasp of the Sharks player.

The Bulls and Springbok enforcer will be available for their home semi final against the Crusaders on Saturday in Pretoria, and should they make it, the final.

Your verdict?

Suspension, yellow card, or neither? Is Bakkies lucky to get away with this?

Time:

02:21