Francois Steyn

Francois Steyn

Frans Steyn has been found not guilty by a SANZAR judicial hearing on Monday.

This follows after the Springbok midfielder was Red-Carded for an alleged spear tackle in the Sharks’ 12 / 11 Super Rugby win over the Chiefs at the weekend.

Frans Steyn has been found not guilty of disobeying Law 10.4 (j) Lifting Tackling, during a SANZAR Judicial hearing, after he was carded with a Red in a Super Rugby match against the Chiefs at the weekend.

The tip tackle, which was double teamed with Cobus Reinach, took place after 28 minutes had passed between the Sharks and the Chiefs at Kings Park, Durban, on 21 March.

It was a controversial moment, after TMO Marius Jonker recommended a Yellow Card to referee Angus Gardner after reviewing the incident. The on-field officials also had the benefit of watching the dangerous tackle on the big screen. Nevertheless, it was a Red Card.

The hearing was adjudicated by Jannie Lubbe via video conference at 11am on 23 March 2015. De Wet Barry, the former hard-hitter, was present as a Judicial Technical Advisor.

In his finding, Lubbe mentioned the following:

“After careful consideration of video evidence, including additional video evidence and still frames submitted by the legal representative of Francois Steyn, Gerrie Swart, as well as the oral explanation of Steyn, it was concluded that Steyn did not act in breach of Law 10.4 (j). It was also found that 2 other Sharks players were involved in the tackle and that 1 of the players, Cobus Reinach, played a significant part in what appeared to be a serious and dangerous tackle.

“A detailed analysis of the execution of the tackle by Steyn clearly showed that he executed a perfectly legitimate tackle on Aaron Cruden, but that the intervention of his teammates applying additional and external forces to the dynamic tackle situation resulted in what the referee deemed to be a breach of Law 10.4 (j).

“This decision is not meant to be critical of the match officials who had to take and make their decision on the field of play without the benefit I had of additional video material and submissions by legal counsel.

“The referee and his assistant on the available evidence at their disposal came to the conclusion that Cruden got lifted in the tackle by Steyn and made contact with the ground with his head first. The video material before me clearly shows that Cruden made contact with the ground first with his right hand and upper arm, followed by shoulder and back. The momentum of the tackle then caused him to roll so that his head and neck made contact with the ground.

“As a result of this finding, the Red Card will be expunged from the player’s record.”

18 Responses to Super Rugby: Sharks – Frans Steyn not guilty, Red Card expunged

  • 1

    What a crock of utter garbage…

  • 2

    @ grootblousmile:
    Agree….

    And Durban can rejoice now that their FatBoy is free to once again seek out some unsuspecting suspect to target.

    Maybe he can actually manage to break a neck next time, because he is so big and strong.

    Useless plod, he brings nothing to SA rugby except his big ego, bigger bank balance and his huge weight.

    When last has he taken a “long range penalty”?

    If I was Sias, I would be very careful this weekend, I’m sure he will be targeted, seeing as he isn’t the biggest player in the Force back line.

    The next time a Kiwi gets off lightly in NZ after foul play, I don’t even want to see any nasty comments or howls of indignation….this pathetic panel set the tone

  • 3

    @ nortie:
    frans moet eers vir sias vang

  • 4

    smallies wrote:

    @ nortie:
    frans moet eers vir sias vang

    Ha ha, dis waarvoor Reinach daar is….dan kan hy inkom en hom op sy kop laat val.
    En vir Reinach gebruik as n verskoning vir sy varksige optrede.

  • 5

    The lunatics are clearly now in charge of the asylum.

  • 6

    As GBS stated, clearly a croc of smelly poo.

  • 7

    I have no problem with this. Messam received no sanction for trying to remove Bothma’s head from his shoulders.

    Fransie is a chop no doubt but I find all this a bit hysterical.

  • 8

    @ gunther:
    I agree, both were pretty bad and just about everyone got off light, including Bissie.

  • 9

    Ja-nee kyk, as dit Bakkies was, dan was dit lewenslange skorsing. 🙄

  • 10

    Lyk of SANZAR nou betrokke geraak het.

    SANZAR has lodged an appeal against the outcome of the hearing that found Frans Steyn innocent of a tip tackle.

    Steyn was shown a straight red card against the Chiefs for a tip tackle on flyhalf Aaron Cruden in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash last weekend.

    Steyn was unbelievably cleared at the resultant judicial hearing by Jannie Lubbe SC.

    A SANZAR Appeals Committee, chaired by Terry Willis, with Nigel Hampton QC and Robert Stelzner SC as members, will hear the appeal via video conference on Friday, March 27 at 08:00 SA time.

  • 12

    Oh good maybe they can relook Messams incident.

    Oh wait ….

    😆

  • 13

    gunther wrote:

    Oh good maybe they can relook Messams incident.

    Oh wait ….

    😆 My thoughts exactly

  • 14

    This Terry Willis karakter sounds like a kiwi.

    😯

  • 15

    Research shows him to be an Aussie.

    Fatboy is in for a flogging.

    😆

  • 16

    Hippocracy abounds….

  • 17

    @ Stormersboy:
    exactly

    Like a watering hole at sunset.

  • 18

    gunther wrote:

    @ Stormersboy:
    exactly
    Like a watering hole at sunset.

    🙂

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