CJ Stander disciplinary hearing adjourned until Monday

Ireland flanker CJ Stander's fate in the remainder of the series against South Africa will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary hearing which is adjourned to Monday.

The 26-year-old was handed a red card by French referee Mathie Reynard after attempting an airborne collision which struck on the head of his former South African U20 teammate Pat Lambie during the opening game of the series in Cape Town.

Lambie was carried off the field in the 22nd minute after suffering a concussion and has already been ruled out of the second Test in Johannesburg.

Stander attended a hearing on Sunday headed by Australian judiciary officer Terry Willis and after five hours of meeting, the hearing was adjourned to 10am on Monday.

If suspended, Stander's tour of South Africa might end prematurely, but the Ireland camp defended the Munster captain's action, stating that the intention of the flanker was to block the chip shot from Lambie.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt earlier stated that the citing on Stander was "harsh" and hoped he will be available for the remaining two games against South Africa.

"We'd love to have him available, we're going to find out in the next couple of days what, if any, consequences there are from his attempted charge-down," Schmidt said after Saturday's game.

"So, we'd be delighted to get him back if that's possible. If we don't, this is a 32-man squad, there are 32 players working to try and be selected and it means somebody else will step up and fill the breach.

"I thought the red card was very, very harsh to be honest. CJ's got both hands extended, once you're in the air you can't change your trajectory.

"The one thing I would say, I think Pat Lambie's a super player, I certainly hope that Pat's OK. I know CJ and Pat are friends, and that they know each other.

"CJ was upset that Pat was hurt as much as he was upset that he had to leave the field. It's one of those thing that happens. I think, sometimes, when there is an injury like that, the consequence is that a card comes out and that was the result."

After registering their maiden Test win against the Springboks in South Africa, Ireland will target a series victory when they take the field in Johannesburg for the second game on 18th June.