Already sitting with injuries ahead of their massive Vodacom United Rugby Championship showdown with defending champions Munster, the Vodacom Bulls were rocked by a citing to star loose forward Cameron Hanekom on Tuesday.
The citing, which came out of the blue, was made for the tip tackle that earned the loose forward a yellow card during the 59-22 defeat at the hands of Northampton Saints during the Investec Champions’ Cup quarterfinal at Franklin Gardens on Saturday night.
The tackle, which set off a debate if it was a yellow card after all, has stunned the Bulls as at the time it hardly seemed that serious and the yellow card seemed sufficient punishment.
Citings are normally only done for offences which the Citing Commissioner - in this case Stuart Morgan-Scott - deems to be a red card offence.
The EPCR confirmed the complaint, with Hanekom due to face a hearing on Wednesday.
“EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Vodacom Bulls No 8, Cameron Hanekom, arising from his club’s Investec Champions Cup quarterfinal match against Northampton Saints at the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, 13 April.
“Hanekom is alleged to have tackled the Northampton Saints centre, Fraser Dingwall (No 12), in a dangerous manner in the 49th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.18.
“The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Stuart Morgan-Scott (Wales).
“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.
“Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.18 carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 10 weeks; Top end: 14 to 52 weeks”.
Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Wednesday.
Another former South African, Tom Botha, who plays for the Ospreys, was also cited for his role in the EPCR Challenge Cup defeat at the hands of Gloucester.
“Botha is alleged to have tackled the Gloucester Rugby centre, Seb Atkinson (No 12) in a dangerous manner in the 12th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13. The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Mihai Irimia (Romania).”
Botha’s hearing will also take place on Wednesday.