Mapimpi handed 2-week ban for 'reckless contact with eye area' against Bordeaux

In-form Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi has been hit with a two-week ban for "making contact with the eye or eye area" of Union Bordeaux-Begles scrumhalf, Maxime Lucu, during their 32-3 victory at Kings Park last weekend.

The Springbok World Cup winner was cited this week following an on-field complaint from Lucu to referee Luke Pearce but video evidence at the time showed nothing conclusive and play continued.

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Disciplinary Committee deemed that Mapimpi's transgression "warranted a red card" but was on the low end of World Rugby's sanction regulations.

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Mapimpi was initially given a four-week ban, which was reduced to two weeks because of the player's good disciplinary record.

The winger will miss the Sharks' Champions Cup clash against Harlequins in London on Saturday (15:00 kick-off) and the visit to Edinburgh the following Saturday in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Meanwhile, London Irish prop, Ciaran Parker, has been suspended for two weeks after his high shot on Deon Fourie during their clash with the Stormers last Sunday, which earned him one of two red cards in the game.

Parker's teammate, Ben Loader, was given a three-week ban for his head clash with Manie Libbok that ruled the Bok flyhalf out of action for at least a week through concussion. 

Full EPCR statement:

The Sharks wing, Makazole Mapimpi, has been suspended for two weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Champions Cup, Round 3 match against Union Bordeaux-Begles at Kings Park.

Mapimpi was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Brian Campsall (England), for making contact with