The Lions’ Conraad van Vuuren will miss at least the next three United Rugby Championship matches after receiving a four-match suspension for a dangerous tackle against the Stormers last weekend.
Van Vuuren was sent off by referee Christopher Allison for a dangerous tackle on Stormers hooker Andre-Hugo Venter in the 68th minute of the derby. Despite being reduced to 13 players, the Lions fought bravely and won the match 24-10 at Ellis Park to secure the SA Shield for the first time.
However, his ban could affect the Lions’ front-row stocks at tighthead, especially with Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye still set to face a doping hearing this month. Van Vuuren will miss clashes against Edinburgh (Saturday 21 March), the Dragons (Saturday 28 March), Glasgow Warriors (Saturday 18 April), and Connacht (Saturday 25 April).
Should he complete the World Rugby tackle school programme, his suspension will be reduced by one week, which would allow him to return for the Connacht clash.
“After an act of foul play by player No 18 (Conraad van Vuuren), referee Christopher Allison showed the player a red card in the 68th minute of the game under Law 9.13 – a player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously,” a URC statement on the outcome of his hearing said.
“Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders, even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”
In his response during the disciplinary hearing, Van Vuuren accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. The judicial officer also found that the tackle met the red-card threshold, with a mid-range entry point warranting a six-week ban.
“The player received two weeks’ mitigation due to his acknowledgement of culpability, his apology and good conduct throughout the disciplinary process, which results in a four-match suspension,” the statement read.
