Fidelity Securedrive Lions flanker Siba Mahashe has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a rather bizarre claim from a Munster player that he spat in his face.
The claim was made during the Lions’ loss to Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday night and was communicated by Munster captain Craig Casey to referee Andrea Piardi.
The television match official found no footage of the incident, and it was referred to the match commissioner for a possible citing, but he too could find no such incident to rule on.
In a statement, the United Rugby Championship said there was no evidence and, as such, there could be no citing.
“The allegation of spitting that occurred in the Munster versus Fidelity SecureDrive Lions on Saturday, May 16 was reviewed by the Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (IRFU). Having examined all available camera angles, the video footage was inconclusive, and there was no clear and obvious unsportsmanlike conduct by Lions No 6,” the statement said.
“The audio statement by No 16 of Munster is clear, and he states that No 6 of Lions spat into his mouth, but the audio statement from No 6 Lions contradicts this, and he states that he had trouble with his gum shield after the upright contact before the ruck. He categorically denied the accusation of spitting.”
“As such, no citing is feasible in this case.”
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 | Munster 24 – 17 Fidelity SecureDrive Lions
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 16, 2026
@Vodacom #URC | #MUNvLIO | #ForOurCity | #LionsPride pic.twitter.com/G7PkC5l0pH
The Lions were very upset by the allegation, and it soured an intense battle, particularly because Casey alleged that it was clear and could be seen on the big screen.
Clearly, that wasn’t the case, and no further action is warranted.
Meanwhile, the Lions have decided to stay in Dublin ahead of their URC quarterfinal against Leinster next weekend and not travel back to Johannesburg.
Centre Henco van Wyk (ankle) and captain Francke Horn (hamstring) will undergo scans on Tuesday in Ireland to assess the severity of the injuries. A decision on their availability will be made thereafter. Flanker Ruan Venter, who returned home after the loss to Leinster with a knee injury, will be assessed this week to determine the severity. Bok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg sustained a bicep injury and, as a result, is back in SA for treatment. No word has been given on whether it puts his appearance in the quarterfinal in doubt.
No one is celebrating the tries better than Siba Mahashe 🙌
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) May 15, 2026
Proud roots in the Eastern Cape and a brilliant culture in the Lions team for players to express themselves 👏🦁
Episode one of 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐔𝐑𝐙 is available on YouTube!#SSRugby | #SuperSportUnplugged pic.twitter.com/CUhszrV8a9