Sharks flanker Jacques Vermeulen handed two-week ban

Sharks will miss the services of Jacques Vermeulen for the next two games after the flanker was suspended for two weeks for a dangerous play during the recently concluded Super Rugby clash against Rebels.

The incident happened in the 49th minute of the game where he was charged with a breach of Law 9.20 – dangerous play in a ruck or maul and pleaded guilty during the disciplinary hearing conducted by a three-man SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and Stephen Hardy.

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and both an account of the incident and submissions from the player, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.20," Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC.

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of four weeks due to the player's dangerous charge into a ruck, making contact with the head of the player's opponent. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's youth, his excellent Judicial record and early guilty plea the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to two weeks."

"The player is therefore suspended for two weeks, up to and including Friday 6 April 2018.”