Springboks dealt hammer blow as Jasper Wiese cops a HEFTY ban and could miss the first EIGHT Tests of 2024
The Springboks will be without powerhouse number eight Jasper Wiese for the upcoming July internationals against Wales, Ireland and Portugal.
Wiese has been handed a six-match ban following his red card in his final appearance for Leicester Tigers in the Premiership match against Exeter.
In the 67th minute of the clash with the Chiefs, Wiese lifted Exeter forward Ross Vincent up at a breakdown and dropped the back-rower to the ground.
Wiese suspended
He was subsequently shown a red card by referee Karl Dickson, bringing an end to his Leicester Tigers career ahead of his reported move to Japan.
The RFU have since announced the outcome of his disciplinary hearing, confirming a lengthy ban that will extend into the Rugby Championship.
An independent disciplinary panel chaired by Jeremy Summers sitting with Martyn Wood and Olly Kohn deemed that Wiese’s actions met a red card threshold for lifting another player off the ground and dropping or driving that player so that their head and/or upper body makes contact with the ground, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.18.
Springboks powerhouse Jasper Wiese’s INSANE Leicester Tigers stats
The panel deemed his actions to warrant a low-end entry point of six weeks as it was reckless act and resulted in head contact for Vintcent.
Wiese accepted that he had a committed the act of foul play and the panel added that he conducted himself well while he showed remorse and apologised.
Jasper Wiese suspension details.
However, he was granted no mitigation due to his poor disciplinary record, having received three red cards previously.
Wiese could also miss the Rugby Championship fixtures against the All Blacks if World Rugby states that he is not eligible to represent the Springboks in the clash against Wales, which takes place outside of the official international window on June 22.
He will however miss the two Test matches against Ireland in July as well as the two games against Australia in August.
If SARU do not confirm that he is required to play against Portugal and World Rugby state that he is ineligible for the clash against Wales, Wiese will miss the opening eight Test matches of the year.
Wiese can still appeal the decision.
Jasper Wiese’s suspension
June 22: South Africa v Wales (Twickenham) *
July 7: South Africa v Ireland (Pretoria)
July 13: South Africa v Ireland (Durban)
July 20: South Africa v Portugal (Bloemfontein) +
August 10: Australia v South Africa
August 17: Australia v South Africa
* subject to confirmation that the player is no longer bound by World Rugby Regulation 9 and so able to play this fixture.
+ subject to the SARU confirming after 13 July 2024 that the player is required to play against Portugal
2024 Springboks fixtures
Saturday, 22 June: Springboks vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: Springboks vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: Springboks vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: Springboks vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs Springboks (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: Springboks v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v Springboks (venue TBC)
Saturday, 28 September: Springboks v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs Springboks (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs Springboks (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs Springboks (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)