Super Rugby:
Francois Steyn suspended for five weeks on appeal
ESPN Staff
April 1, 2015
Francois Steyn will miss the next five weeks through suspension © Getty Images
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Sharks centre Francois Steyn has been handed a five-week ban for a lifting tackle on Chiefs first five-eighth Aaron Cruden after the incident was revisited by the SANZAR judiciary.

Springboks back Steyn was originally cleared of any wrongdoing at a judicial hearing, despite being shown a red card for the incident which came during the Sharks' 21-11 win at Durban on March 21. South African judicial officer Jannie Lubbe chaired the first hearing four days after the game, ruling Steyn didn't have a case to answer and removing the red card from the player's record.

However, Sanzar appealed its own decision.

A hearing on Tuesday chaired by Australian Terry Willis deemed Steyn was at fault for the tackle in which All Blacks playmaker Cruden was lifted and then brought to the ground in a dangerous fashion. Steyn will miss four games and be available again from May 3.

He is the third player handed a suspension from the spiteful match, with all three having been sent off. Sharks skipper Bismarck du Plessis was banned for four matches after kicking an opponent in the head while rival hooker Hika Elliott received a one-game suspension for a shoulder charge.

© AAP

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