The Vodacom Bulls face an anxious wait on the fate of their hooker Bismarck du Plessis, who will now face a disciplinary hearing following his red card against Irish side Munster last Saturday in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match.
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Du Plessis, who upended Munster No 8 Alex Kendellen, who was clambering over him to try and get to the scrumhalf, received a clear red card for the action and is likely to be out for a number of weeks as officials normally come down hard on such an incident.
The URC confirmed the card and hearing late on Tuesday but never said when the hearing will take place.
“ The Red Card for Bismarck du Plessis of Vodacom Bulls will be heard by a Judicial Officer after was sent off in the United Rugby Championship Round 6 game against Munster Rugby on Saturday, March 12,” a statement by URC said.
“The incident occurred in the 70th minute of the United Rugby Championship Round 6 rescheduled fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
“The Player received a Red Card under Law 9.18 – A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.
“This red card will be presided by Robert Mulligan (Scotland).”
Bulls coach Jake White came to Du Plessis’ defence, saying the incident was not malicious, but given the sanctions handed down by the tribunals, Du Plessis can probably prepare himself for a time on the sidelines.