It was expected, but it will still be a hammer blow to the Vodacom Bulls as their flyhalf Johan Goosen was given a three week ban for his head-high tackle during the team’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship loss to Munster at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday.
It effectively means that Goosen will take no more part in the team’s quest for a home playoff place, although if he undergoes a World Rugby Coaching intervention programme, he could still be available to face Benetton in the final league game on 18 May.
Goosen was red carded after a clumsy upright tackle in the 53rd minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
🚨 Disciplinary Decision 🚨
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) April 25, 2024
📝 Johan Goosen - Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby#BKTURC #URC
“In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Scotland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Sheriff Mackie found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received three weeks (50 per cent) mitigation due to his good record and apology to the player which results in a three game suspension,” a statement from the URC said.
“Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.”
The Bulls are likely to use Chris Smith as flyhalf until Goosen becomes available again, although former Scottish international Jaco van der Walt is another option.
Fixtures Johan Goosen is unavailable for:
Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys, 27 April 2024, Vodacom URC
Vodacom Bulls v Glasgow Warriors, 11 May 2024, Vodacom URC
Vodacom Bulls v Benetton, 18 May 2024, Vodacom URC