Sebastian de Klerk handed two-match suspension

Vodacom Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk has received a two-match suspension following a red card incident during the Round 13 clash against Leinster in the 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The sanction comes after a disciplinary hearing led by judicial officer John Kirk, who determined that de Klerk’s offence met the red card threshold under Law 9.17.

The infringement occurred in the 74th minute when de Klerk committed foul play by engaging an opponent who was airborne—an action strictly prohibited under the laws of the game.

“A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.” Kirk classified the offence at the low-end entry point for sanctioning, which typically results in a four-week suspension.

During the hearing, de Klerk accepted responsibility for the incident and acknowledged that his actions warranted a red card.

His immediate on-field apology and consistent cooperation throughout the disciplinary process contributed to a reduced sanction. His clean disciplinary record and exemplary conduct further supported a mitigation of 50%, resulting in a two-week ban instead of the standard four.

As a result of the ruling, de Klerk will be unavailable for two upcoming fixtures. He will miss the Vodacom Bulls’ United Rugby Championship match against Zebre Parma on 29 March 2025 and their EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Aviron Bayonnais on 5 April 2025.