Mixed fortune for Bulls at SANZAR judicial hearing

Mixed fortune for Bulls at SANZAR judicial hearing

BULLS lock Bakkies Botha will be available for their Super 14 semi-final against the Crusaders.

Botha escaped punishment at a disciplinary hearing in Pretoria overnight.

The Springbok faced a judicial officer from governing body SANZAR after being cited for an open-hand slap at Coastal Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski in Durban last Saturday.

South African referee Craig Joubert took no action, but the incident was aired extensively on television, leaving Botha in danger of a second ban this season after recently returning from a three-week suspension.

A SANZAR statement said the judicial officer ruled there was no intent by Botha to strike Kankowski and he was free to play in the knockout phase of the southern hemisphere championship.

But centre JP Nel, who was cited after receiving a caution in Durban for a high tackle on Sharks fullback Stefan Terblanche, was not so lucky and was suspended. He was outed for four matches.

Bulls centre Wynand Olivier suffered a hip injury early in the 27-26 victory that lifted the Bulls to top place on the final standings and he faces a fitness test later this week.

AFP

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