Munier Hartzenberg has been slapped with a suspension for his high hit in the clash between the Cheetahs and Oyonnax, but is set to feature in the Challenge Cup last 16.
Hartzenberg was ejected for tackling fullback Maxime Salles in the air during the match at the Stade Charles-Mathon last week.
Referee Anthony Woodthorpe yellow-carded the Cheetahs winger in the 19th minute, then showed a red following a TMO review, citing Law 9.17 – a player must not tackle an opponent whose feet are off the ground.
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Hartzenberg acknowledged the foul play but contested the red card’s necessity. The independent disciplinary committee, led by Roddy MacLeod, Martyn Wood and Chris Morgan, studied video evidence and also heard submissions from the player’s representative, Attie Heyns, team manager Ashwell Rafferty, and from EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.
Despite Hartzenberg’s exemplary disciplinary record, the committee upheld the red card, imposing a two-week suspension.
As it stands, the outside back is available for the Cheetahs’ Challenge Cup clash against Clermont in France around the weekend of 5 to 7 April.
According to an EPCR statement, Hartzenberg would have been considered for selection for the Cheetahs’ SA Cup matches against Boland (23 March) and the Leopards (30 March), and is free to play from 1 April.
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