Louw free to play after red card rescinded

The Vodacom Bulls have been given a boost ahead of their Currie Cup semifinal against the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday as their Springbok flanker Elrigh Louw had his red card rescinded by a SA Rugby disciplinary committee.

The Bulls lost the game 31-27 against the Cheetahs last weekend and had to play for 45 minutes without Louw after he was carded.

Initially referee AJ Jacobs saw it as a low level of danger, but was convinced by television match referee Aimee Barret-Theron that it was a high level of danger and therefore warranted a red card.

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

The Bulls disputed this at the disciplinary committee and now that the card has been rescinded, Louw is available for them to play this weekend in Bloemfontein when the sides meet again in the semifinal.

“Bulls forward, Elrigh Louw has had his red card rescinded, which was issued in round 14 of the 2023 Currie Cup campaign,” a statement from the Bulls said.

“The red has now been replaced with a yellow card after a hearing was held - earlier in the week - with the player and representatives appearing before an SA Rugby committee.

“Louw was shown red at minute 37 of the clash against the Toyota Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday. He is (now) subsequently available for selection for this weekend’s semifinal clash, against the same team, which will be played in Bloemfontein on Saturday 17, June 2023.”

CONCERN OVER EMBROSE

The Bulls will name their side on Friday but are concerned about a hamstring injury to scrumhalf Embrose Papier, who has been in superb form of late.

The game will kick off at 3pm and is live on SuperSport Rugby (channel 211)