South Africa prop Thomas du Toit handed three-game ban

South Africa prop Thomas du Toit has been handed a three-game ban following his red card incident in the recently concluded fixture against England at Twickenham Stadium.

Du Toit was sent-off at the start of the final quarter for a dangerous tackle on England's Luke Cowan-Dickie but despite his absence the Springboks went on to win the encounter 27-13.

The 27-year-old appeared before an independent disciplinary committee with the panel deeming du Toit's act as reckless rather than intentional.

He was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account his guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.

"Having acknowledged mitigating factors, including an early acceptance of culpability and a clean disciplinary record, and that there were no aggravating factors, the committee reduced the six-week entry point (for foul play) by three weeks," the disciplinary panel said in a statement released by Six Nations Rugby.

He will now miss Sharks' United Rugby Championship game against Ospreys along with Heineken Champions Cup matches against Harlequins and Union Bordeaux Begles.