Citing complaint received relating to Bok winger Mapimpi

Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi has been cited for allegedly making contact with the eye area of the player during the weekend match with Bordeaux Begles.

The Sharks walloped the French side 32-3 in Durban but the incident with the Springbok winger could yet sour the result for the South African side.

The EPCR received a complaint from a citing commissioner claiming that the 32-year-old made contact with Maxime Lucu's eye area in the incident in the 36th minute of the match, an act commonly referred to by fans of the game as an eye gouge.

A statement reads: "EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Cell C Sharks wing, Makazole Mapimpi (No 11), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 3 match against Union Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday, 14 January 2023.

"Mapimpi is alleged to have made contact with the eye or eye area of the Union Bordeaux-Bègles scrum half, Maxime Lucu (No 9), in the 36th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.

"The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Brian Campsall (England).

"Antony Davies (England), Chair, Leon Lloyd (England) and Donal Courtney (Ireland) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Wednesday (18 January).

Mapimpi is alleged to contravened "Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to contact with the eye or eye area carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks."

Meanwhile, Sale Sharks’ second row, Cobus Wiese, was issued with a red card during his club’s Champions Cup, Round three match against Stade Toulousain at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday, January 14.

Wiese was sent off by the referee, Mike Adamson (Scotland), in the 18th minute of the match for a dangerous clear out on the Stade Toulousain prop, Dorian Aldegheri (No.3), in contravention of Law 9.20.

Rhian Williams (Wales), Chair, Mike Ross (Ireland) and Lawrence Sephaka (South Africa) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place via video conference on Monday, January 16.