Hayden Triggs has been suspended for one week for punching Duane Vermeulen at Newlands.

The Blues lock will therefore miss his side's next match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The incident took place in the 25th minute of last Saturday's game, when the Stormers were leading 8-6. While there was no close-up TV footage of the incident, referee Craig Joubert decided to show Triggs a red card after speaking to his assistant referee.

The hosts went on to win 27-16 against 14 men.

'I considered all of the evidence before me including video footage leading up to the incident and issuing of the red card, match official reports for the incident and the submissions of Mr Aaron Lloyd which he made on behalf of the player,' said judicial officer Robert Stelzner.

'I found the incident to have a low-range entry point which stipulates a two-week suspension. This was then reduced by one week due to Triggs' prompt admission of guilt, remorse for his actions and excellent disciplinary record in over 10 years of playing professional rugby.

'The applicable entry point for determining the seriousness of the offence was further informed by the existence of provocation and the fact that the player acted in retaliation.

'The adverse effect of the player’s actions on his own team’s prospects of winning by his being ordered off at a relatively early part of the match, after his team had been awarded a penalty which could potentially have put the Blues in the lead, further played a role in recommending the sanction.

'After taking all these factors into consideration, I found that a suspension of one week was warranted for the incident which was accepted by the player.'

Meanwhile, Highlanders prop Kane Hames has received a five-week ban for punching Crusaders lock Dominic Bird in the 74th minute of their match in Dunedin.

'I considered all of the evidence before me including video footage, citing commissioner's report, a photograph and medical report of the injury sustained by Mr Dominic Bird and the submissions of Mr Aaron Lloyd made on behalf of the player,' said Stelzner.

'After taking all relevant facts of the incident into consideration, I found the incident to have a mid-range entry point which stipulates a five-week suspension.

'Several aggravating factors for the case included the injury to Mr Bird and a deterrent for this type of conduct occurring in the game, resulting in a two-week increase to the sanction. This was then reduced by two weeks due to Hames's remorse and prompt guilty plea for the incident.

'After taking all these factors into consideration, I found that a suspension of five weeks was warranted which was accepted by the player.'

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix