- Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids said Pieter-Steph du Toit’s availability for Saturday’s Test against Italy will be determined by his hearing on Tuesday.
- Du Toit was sent off for a dangerous move in the 11th minute of South Africa’s 30-26 loss to France in Marseille.
- Sending offs in test rugby are usually followed by hearings which often lead to suspensions and, in rare cases, exonerations.
in Genoa
Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids said Pieter-Steph du Toit’s World Rugby hearing on Tuesday will determine his availability for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Genoa.
Du Toit was sent off in the 11th minute of last week’s 30-26 loss to France in Marseille for a dangerous clearance on French center Jonathan Danty.
Du Toit was inadvertently dragged into a ruck by Damian de Allende and from there, his head made contact with Danty’s face.
English referee Wayne Barnes had no choice but to send off Du Toit. Danty walked off the field and did not return for the remainder of the game.
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Davids said they will plan based on the outcome of the hearing and accept what comes of it.
“Pieter-Steph’s hearing is on Tuesday and if we get a response soon, we will plan accordingly,” Davids said.
“There are processes that are followed when a player receives a yellow card or a red card and, in the case of Pieter-Steph, the same process will be followed.
“We feel sorry for Pieter-Steph who got a red card in that game. The PSDT I know does everything within the rules and doesn’t try to play outside of them.”
“We’ll make plans around that, and we’ll be happy to have him in camp. We’ll accept the outcome of the hearing.”
Davids said the strikers adapted well to Du Toit’s initial defeat, and although they came under pressure at first, they passed the French test well.
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France took advantage of Du Toit’s absence and took a 13-0 lead, but the Boks rallied to a point where they led 26-22.
“We were a bit taken aback when we lost Pieter-Steph early, but I have to congratulate the players on how they reacted to that,” Davids said.
“We came under pressure at the start, but we bounced back well in terms of rewards and execution from lineouts and scrums.
“The guys did well in those circumstances.”
Springbok manager Jacques Nienaber will announce his Matchday 23 on Tuesday with kick-off at 15:00 SA time on Saturday.
