Bismarck du Plessis has been handed a three-match suspension for a reckless cleanout against Munster, but the Vodacom Bulls hooker has already served his ban for two of the games and could play in Saturday’s clash with Dragons.
Du Plessis is available for selection again after the Bulls’ Currie Cup game against the Lions on Wednesday.
He was sent off during the Bulls’ 29-24 win over the Irish side at Loftus Versfeld on 12 March for a dangerous cleanout on No 8 Alex Kendellen in the 70th minute of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match.
Robert Mulligan, the judicial officer in charge of the disciplinary process, ruled that Du Plessis’ actions warranted a sanction after meeting the threshold for an act of foul play.
“As a result, the player has been banned for a period of three games,” said a statement released by the URC, with games backdated to include the Bulls’ Currie Cup win over the Sharks on 16 March, as well as the URC victory over Zebre on 19 March.
Du Plessis’ conduct during the disciplinary process entitled him to a 50% mitigation and his previous disciplinary record of one red card in 374 professional games was also considered in mitigation.
A 3-game suspension for Bismarck du Plessis (2 games already served) for his red card v Munster
The low entry point meant he was looking at 6 games but his guilty plea and clean record (1 red in his 374 previous professional games) saw it cut in half
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 22, 2022
