Sharks ahead Ox Night.
(Images by Frikkie Kapp/Gallo)
Sharks mainstay Ox Nche will serve a three-week suspension for the red card he received against the Harlequins on Saturday, as decided in an independent disciplinary hearing.
READ | At most, a yellow, but the referees must make these decisions: Powell on Nche’s red card
Nche received his marching orders for head-to-head contact at tackle with Harlequins hooker Jack Walker, drawing the ire of King Park spectators.
Nche was ruled to have breached Law 9.13, which states that “a player must not dangerously attack an opponent.”
The disciplinary committee, consisting of Declan Goodwin (Wales), Samantha Hillas KC (England) and Martyn Wood (England), reviewed video footage of the incident. They also heard presentations from Nche and his legal representative, who felt a red card was not warranted.
The committee, however, found that because there was contact with Walker’s head, the tackle was carried out in a dangerous manner and ruled for a six-week suspension.
This was reduced to three weeks due to no aggravating circumstances and Nche’s excellent disciplinary record.
This means that Nche will only be available to the Sharks from 2 January 2023, although that will move to 26 December if he completes a World Rugby training intervention.
The Sharks are currently in France where they will take on Bordeaux in a Champions Cup clash on Friday.
The start is at 22:00 (SA time).
