Banned - Bulls prop pays heavily for 'biting' incident

Blue Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman has paid heavily after being cited for a biting incident.

A SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing has found Schoeman guilty of contravening Law 9.12 - A Player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to Biting, after he was cited during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

Schoeman has been suspended for 6 weeks, up to and including Saturday 2 June 2018.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the match between the Bulls and Rebels played at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 21 April 2018.

The SANZAAR Judicial Hearing held via video conference on 24 April 2018 was heard by the Judicial Committee of Adam Casselden SC, Eroni Clarke and De Wet Barry.

In his finding, the Judicial Committee Chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled the following:

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Attie Heyns, the Judicial Committee accepted the player’s guilty plea and upheld the citing under Law 9.12 - A Player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to Biting.

With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 12 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s early guilty plea, his good character, his good disciplinary record and his remorse the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to a period of six weeks."