The Highlanders beat the Bulls 17-10 with a late try at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, but earlier in the match a player from each side was red card for two separate incidents. Both were similar in the fact that they were for dangerous shoulders, however.
Highlights winger Waisake Naholo first received his red card after he appeared to pull out of a tackle last minute, but made contact with his shoulder on Bulls centre Burger Odendaal.
Just eight minutes later, it was the Bulls who lost a player after lock RG Snyman flew into a ruck with no arms, and he too was sent from the field.
Naholo has since been banned for 1 week, while Snyman got a 4-week suspension.
WAISAKE NAHOLO RED CARD
In his SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee, Naholo pleaded guilty to contravening Law 10.4(g), Dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing of an Opponent with or without the ball, including shouldering.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy assessed the case. In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:
"Having considered the Referee's description of the incident and the available video footage, the Foul Play Review Committee amended the charge to Law 10.4(g). Having further considered all the evidence, including submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee found the Player's actions to have breached the Red Card threshold.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 2 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's good Judicial record and early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 1 week.
"The player is therefore suspended for 1 week, up to and including Saturday 20 May 2017."
RG SNYMAN RED CARD
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from RG Snyman for contravening Law 10.4(h), A Player must not charge into a ruck or maul.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy assessed the case. In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled the following:
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Marius Botha, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 10.4(h).
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks primarily due to the dangerous nature of the act and the direct contact with the opponent's head.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's good Judicial record and early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 4 weeks.
"The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including the Friday 9 June 2017."