Bulls backline ace Kriel free to play after red card is rescinded

The Bulls will have the services of David Kriel for their upcoming United Rugby Championship clash against the Scarlets at the Parc y Scarlets on Friday after his red card was rescinded. 

Midfielder Kriel was given a red card in the Bulls' win over the Ospreys in Swansea after he was adjudged to have led with his elbow in making contact with Ospreys flyhalf Daniel Edwards.

Bulls director of rugby Jake White was not pleased with the red card Kriel received when reflecting on the incident in his post-match reaction. 

"The ref said the 10 was hit in the throat," White said.

"David carried the ball to a shorter player. I asked the ref if David didn't stick his arm out and the 10 hit his head on David, would he got a red card? The ironic thing is that the 10 didn't get off."

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Kriel's case went through a disciplinary process that was chaired by Scotland's Roddy Dunlop along with Ireland duo Donal Courtney and Gordon Black.

The URC confirmed on Wednesday that after the process, the panel concluded to that a red after should not have been issued. 

The panel found that while an act of foul play had occurred and that Kriel had made contact with the neck area of the tackler, a combination of factors - including his attempt at a hand-off to protect himself, the speed and height of the tackling player, and the low force of the contact in question - was such that on balance of probability, a red card should not have been issued.

Vodacom Bulls centre David Kriel is free to play this weekend in the #VURC after his red card was rescinded ??

Here is the statement that the league issued on the disciplinary process followed ???? pic.twitter.com/q0XuCEQdJB

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