Lions lose prop due to ban after dangerous tackle

Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been banned from playing for the Lions for three weeks, missing out on at least three crucial matches.

March 28, 2024
SA Rugby Magazine 1 minute read
Image for illustration purposes.

Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been slapped with a suspension for his dangerous tackle in the clash between the Lions and Connacht.

The tighthead prop was sent off for making head contact with Connacht loose forward Conor Oliver during the Vodacom URC round 12 match in Galway.

Referee Craig Evans ejected Ntlabakanye in the 15th minute, citing Law 9.13 – a player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.

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Ntlabakanye acknowledged the foul play but argued that the act hadn’t warranted a dismissal. The panel of Simon Thomas, Nigel Williams and Beth Dickens considered the degree of danger and found that Ntlabakanye had not established that Evans was wrong to dismiss him.

The committee upheld the red card, imposing a three-week suspension. Completion of the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme could reduce the sanction by one week.

As it stands, Ntlabakanye is unavailable for the Lions’ clash with Ospreys in Wales in the URC on Saturday, as well as next week’s trip to Benetton in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup and potential quarter-final or the visit from Leinster.

Read original story on www.sarugbymag.co.za

March 28, 2024
SA Rugby Magazine 1 minute read
 
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