Steyn suspended for five weeks for 'spear' tackle on Cruden

01 April 2015 - 02:55 By Liam del Carme

After his tip tackle, it took an inordinate amount of time for match officials to arrive at what they deemed a proper sanction. Two more attempts and 10 days later Frans Steyn's indiscretion is still some distance from an amicable resolution.The Bok centre was suspended for five weeks yesterday for his "spear" tackle on Chiefs' flyhalf Aaron Cruden on the February 21.It will rule him out of the Sharks' next four matches at home to the Crusaders, away to the Lions, home to the Bulls and away to the Highlanders.However, Steyn's red card was expunged by Jannie Lubbe in a ruling that raised eyebrows a week ago.But Sanzar yesterday went completely the other way by throwing the book hard and straight at the robust centre.At a Sanzar judicial hearing a week ago, Lubbe found Steyn not guilty of contravening law 10.4 (j).Yesterday, however, the appeals committee upheld the appeal by Sanzar and found that Steyn breached the law and the referee was correct to red card him.The committee consists of Terry Willis (chairman, Australia), Nigel Hampton (New Zealand) and Robert Stelzner (South Africa).In the match, referee Angus Gardner and his assistant Marius van der Westhuizen overruled television match official Marius Jonker's recommendation for a yellow card.Jonker had concluded that while Steyn lifted Cruden off his feet he had assistance from Cobus Reinach and Ryan Kankowski in the dangerous way the Chiefs flyhalf was delivered to the ground.As for Steyn, a player who perennially operates on the edge, the ban comes at a dreadful time.He had just started rebuilding his career and perhaps mending fences in South Africa.At least he'll have many sympathisers...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.