Stormers prop cops 3 game ban for red card against Edinburgh

Prop Sazi Sandi will sit on the sidelines for the next three Stormers fixtures as a result of his red card against Edinburgh last Saturday.

Sandi clashed heads with Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie while attempting to tackle him, and after consulting the TMO, referee Frank Murphy issued a straight red card.

On Wednesday evening, the URC issued a press statement confirming the three-match ban. 

"The disciplinary process related to Sazi Sandi's (Stormers) red card in the United Rugby Championship Round 3 game against Edinburgh Rugby on Saturday, 1 October 2022, has resulted in a three-week ban," the statement read. 

"After an act of foul play against Edinburgh Rugby player No 6 (Jamie Ritchie), referee Frank Murphy showed the player a red card in the 74th minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. 

"Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

"The panel overseeing the disciplinary process, David Martin (Chair) and Kim Moloney (both Ireland), and Chris Watts (Wales) found that the incident met the red card threshold, with an entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. 

"The player received full mitigation due to his behaviour and clean record, which results in a three-week/game suspension. The panel confirmed that he can apply to World Rugby for the HPC Coaching Intervention, which would reduce his suspension to two games.

"As a result, the player will be suspended for a period of three weeks. Should the player complete the Coaching Intervention Programme, then the sanction will be reduced by one week."

The ruling means that Sandi will