Sharks forwards Hyron Andrews and George Cronje have both been slapped with Vodacom URC bans for the same incident in the loss to Zebre in Parma.
Veteran lock Andrews was red carded for a dangerous cleanout shortly after coming off the bench as the Sharks slumped to a fourth loss in a row.
However, loose forward Cronje was also cited and sanctioned for his involvement the incident under Law 1.98 – 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.
The disciplinary panel overseeing the disciplinary process – Declan Goodwin (Chair, WRU), John Kirk (SRU), Mark Curran (IRFU) – found that both incidents met the red card threshold, with entry of low-range warranting six weeks.
The players received two weeks mitigation due to their good records and an active part in the hearing which results in a four game suspension.
This means that the Sharks will be without Andrews and Cronje for their next three Vodacom URC games – against Connacht, Dragons (both at home) and the Vodacom Bulls (away) – as well as their European Challenge Cup opener at home against French side Pau on 9 December.
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