Springbok midfielder Andre Esterhuizen will be available for the test matches against the All Blacks after receiving an effective three week ban for his red card during the game against Portugal in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Esterhuizen, who was red carded for his head clash with Portuguese midfielder Jose Lima, received a four week ban, but it would be reduced to three if he completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention course.
Springboks are down to 14 men as Andre Esterhuizen's yellow card is upgraded to a red card, after this tackle 👇
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 20, 2024
📺 Stream #RSAvPOR live: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/oqX9ZO6c2k
The ban will serve effectively in the Currie Cup, as the Boks likely argued he would not have been part of the side to contest the opening two games of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
Hence, by the time the four games are served, the Boks will return to South Africa ahead of the two All Black tests in August and September.
The World Rugby statement on the disciplinary hearing read as follows:
“Andre Esterhuizen has been suspended for three matches (subject to completing the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme) for a red card offence contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) in South Africa's international match against Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20 July 2024.
Andre Esterhuizen slapped with 4-match banhttps://t.co/H4f2U1U6o0
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 24, 2024
“The hearing was undertaken by an Independent Disciplinary Committee chaired by Matthew Weaver KC (England) and joined by former player Jamie Corsi (Wales) and former international referee Valeriu Toma (Romania).
“The player accepted that foul play had occurred and that the offence warranted a red card.
“The Committee considered the appropriate entry point for the offending and decided that the offence warranted the mandatory mid-end entry point for offending involving contact with the head of six matches.
“Having considered the mitigating factors, the Committee decided not to award full 50 per cent mitigation to the sanction resulting in a sanction of four matches. An additional match may be removed from the sanction should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention for Sanction Mitigation (“CISM”) which applies to foul play involving Head Contact.
“The player is therefore suspended for the following matches:
1. Sharks v Lions ADT - 27 July 2024
2. Pumas v Sharks - 3 August 2024
3. Sharks v Griquas - 11 August 2024
4. Cheetahs v Sharks – 17 August 2024*
*Subject to the successful completion of the CISM.
The player has 48 hours to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.”
Esterhuizen is not the only Springbok currently suspended. Jasper Wiese was suspended for six games at the end of the English Premiership competition, ensuring he would not be available until after the two games against Australia as well.