Du Preez in hot water for shoulder charge

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Springbok and Sale Sharks No 8 Daniel du Preez has been cited after striking an opponent with the shoulder during their win over Gloucester this past Saturday.

Video footage showed Du Preez making contact with the back of Gloucester centre Chris Harris’ head which forced Harris to leave the field for a head injury assessment.

The incident went unpunished after TMO Geoff Warren informed referee Karl Dickson that he believed that Du Preez had attempted to wrap his arms. Du Preez would go on to be named man of the match as the Sale Sharks secured a 22-19 victory after trailing 16-9 at half time.

However, the 25-year-old has been cited in breach of Law 9.12: ‘A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm (including stiff-arm tackles), shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.’

Du Preez will appear before an online disciplinary panel on Wednesday, 6 January.

Gloucester lock Ed Slater will also appear before the panel after appearing to make dangerous contact with Springbok and Sale hooker Akker van der Merwe. This is in breach of Law 9. 20: ‘Dangerous play in a ruck or maul. A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding on to another player in the ruck or maul.’

Photo: Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images

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