Etienne Oosthuizen Suspended For Two Weeks

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Etienne Oosthuizen of the Sharks for contravening Law 10.4(a) Striking another Player with a hand, arm or fist, after he was Cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Oosthuizen has been suspended from all forms of the game for two weeks, up to and including 10 March 2017.

The incident occurred in the 9th minute of the match between Reds v Sharks played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on 24 February 2017.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

In his finding, Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC 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 Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 10.4(a) Striking another Player with a hand, arm or fist."

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 4 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s good disciplinary record and early guilty plea the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 2 weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended for 2 weeks, up to and including the 10th March 2017.”

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.