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Mon 30 Sep 2013 | 10:14
Flip van der Merwe suspended for one week for dangerous play

8
Comments

Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has been suspended following the 28-8 victory over the Wallabies on Saturday. Van Der Merwe was yellow carded by referee Jerome Garces, but was later cited for the offence that was deemed worthy of a red card.

A SANZAR Judicial Hearing found Van der Merwe guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous Tackling, which also constituted a breach of Law 10.4 (a) Striking after he was cited following thet Rugby Championship match at Newlands.

The SANZAR Judicial Hearing was held via video conference on Monday 30th September. Van der Merwe has been suspended for one week up to and including 5th October 2013.

In his finding, Nicholas Davidson QC ruled the following:

The player was initially sin-binned for a dangerous tackle but the citing alleged a deliberate striking.

After hearing from the player's counsel, the player and the South African Manager, the Judicial Officer concluded that this was a breach of Law 10.4 (e) as a dangerous tackle executed high and leading with the forearm and without any attempt to grasp the player in the initial contact. 

It was also a strike under Law 10.4 (a) but not intentional as cited. Mr Mike Mika, a former professional player, assisted the Judicial Officer.

Van der Merwe has a good disciplinary record at international and Super Rugby level and has never before been suspended. Springbok manager Mr Schwartz spoke extremely well of him as a player and a personality in the game.

Although breach was denied, the Judicial Officer concluded that his record and conduct including a concerned approach to the Australian player warranted a discount to a one-week suspension only.

The Springboks have called up namesake Franco van der Merwe to the squad as cover.

"Losing any player, for whatever reasons, is never ideal but Franco knows our structures and plans very well, having been part of the squad since June last year," said coach Heyneke Meyer.

It was an awkward looking 'tackle' and while being spoken to by Garces, Van der Merwe claimed that he fell over. He was also quick to point out the difference between his and Michael Hooper's tip-tackle (that also resulted in a yellow card).

View Springboks vs Wallabies Highlights

Posted By: Grant Constable

8 Comments

  • facepalm
    11:45 PM 03/10/2013

    It's not just in the interest of maintaining rugby values, from a more selfish point of view it's in the interest of the player not to protest to a referee. A referee has never turned around and said, "yeah you're right, penalty reversed." All that happens is he gets pissed off at the player for whining and is more likely to penalise him again later.

    I do, however, sympathise with the Parrisse case, when he genuinely didn't know what he was being sent off for. But that's a different situation.

  • cambridgeshirekid
    3:53 PM 02/10/2013

    That wouldn't look out of place in UFC

  • drg
    11:23 PM 01/10/2013

    You're...um...you're kidding right???

  • stubby
    11:05 PM 01/10/2013

    dirty dirty dirty

  • danknapp
    8:57 PM 01/10/2013

    Players shouldn't be protesting, arguing, trying to influence it. The captain does that, van der Merwe needs to shut up and take his card like a man.

  • reality
    11:22 PM 30/09/2013

    His excuse that he fell on top of him is definitely plausible. I regularly find myself shifting all my weight upwards and sticking my elbow out in front of my face while falling after having my feet planted firmly on the ground.

    Excuses like that are why referees never listen to players' legitimate protests - players like Van der Merwe cry wolf too often.

  • slats
    11:08 PM 30/09/2013

    ill be honest i dont think it was that bad a tackle, it was shoulderish level, and it looked a lot worse because of the way the tackled player went back. I reckon its a yellow but i can see why the red was given

  • drg
    9:32 PM 30/09/2013

    Wtf was he trying to do???? :/

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