The Lions will be without the suspended Ruan Venter for their Vodacom URC final-round clash with the DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

Venter has been handed a four-week ban for his red card for a dangerous tackle in the first half of the Lions’ victory over Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park.

The loose forward was cited under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. 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.

Venter accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card.

The Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process, Tommy Dalton,  found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. Venter received two weeks mitigation due to his apology, good record and fully engaged participation in the disciplinary process, resulting in a four-game suspension.

Venter will therefore miss next Saturday’s match against the Stormers at Cape Town stadium, which the Lions may need to win to qualify for the Vodacom URC playoffs.

The 21-year-old can reduce his suspension by one week if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.

Fixtures Ruan Venter is unavailable for:
DHL Stormers vs Lions, 1 June 2024 Vodacom URC
WITS URC vs Alberton, 8 June 2024
WITS URC vs Roodenpoort, 15 June 2024
WITS URC vs Raiders, 22 June 2024

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images

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Src: sarugbymag.co.za