Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen has been handed a stiff six-week ban after being sent off for a dangerous tackle on Saturday as his side drew 9-9 with the Melbourne Rebels in Durban in the Super Rugby competition.
Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen. Photo: AFP
Esterhuizen's early dismissal left his side down at 14 men for more than an hour of the game and he was found guilty at a disciplinary hearing on Monday of a reckless challenge that "placed the opposing player in an extremely dangerous position".
The 23-year-old Esterhuizen was similarly suspended two years ago but what would have been an 11-week ban this time round was reduced to six due to a guilty plea, an on-field apology to the Rebels' wing Sefa Naivalu and his conduct in the judicial process, said a SANZAAR statement.
Esterhuizen effectively misses all but one of the Sharks' remaining regular season games, eligible only again in July for the last match at home to the Lions.
-Reuters
