Bulls await Morné Steyn disciplinary hearing verdict ahead of Zebre clash

Cape Town — The Bulls are sweating on the availability of veteran flyhalf Morné Steyn for next weekend’s United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre in Italy.

The 37-year-old pivot received the first red card of his professional career when he sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 11th minute of the Bulls’ showdown with the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday.

Steyn went high on Sharks captain Lukhanyo Am, and it looked like a swinging arm as well as he made contact with the Springbok centre’s neck area in what was an uncharacteristic loss of concentration and unnecessary aggression from the usually laidback No 10.

The fact that it was also a late tackle left referee AJ Jacobs with little option but to flash the red card, and Steyn appeared stunned as he jogged off the field.

The Bulls were badly stung by Steyn’s departure, and trailed 26-12 with about 20 minutes to go. But after Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams was also handed a red card for a dangerous tackle on Bulls replacement flyhalf Chris Smith, the home team made a late rally, but ultimately went down 29-22.

Independent Media understands that Steyn faced a disciplinary hearing on Thursday for the incident, and will await the decision of the URC panel on whether he should receive further sanction for the hit on Am.

That means that coach Jake White has to prepare for the worst – which would be planning without Steyn for next week Friday’s clash with Zebre in Parma (7.30pm kickoff SA time).

The Bulls began their build-up to the Zebre match on Thursday at Loftus Versfeld, before flying over to Italy in a couple of days’ time, and it is unclear if Smith is ready to train yet after going off on a stretcher following the tackle from Williams.

White said on Smith