Did Bismarck throw a punch against WP?

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Bulls hooker Bismarck du Plessis got away with foul play after appearing to throw a punch during the second half of the Currie Cup match against Western Province on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the match between the Bulls and Western Province at Loftus Versfeld, in the buildup to David Kriel’s second try for the home side.

It was reviewed by the match officials, but a lack of clear footage meant that referee Griffin Kolbe decided not to make a call on it, despite Province captain Nama Xaba’s insistence that a punch was thrown.

“It was disappointing, maybe even outrageous that they didn’t have an angle on it,” said Xaba following WP’s 45-34 loss.

“I was right next to the incident and I saw a strike to the face of our lock Ben-Jason [Dixon]. I was really disappointed. The assistant referee did flag it initially, but I’m not sure about the process that followed. There was just no conclusive angle. I tried my best [to provide context] for the referees.

“There’s no place for that in the game,” Xaba added.

“In the context of the game, the Bulls scored a try from that play when the incident should’ve warranted a yellow or red card. That would’ve reversed the try and perhaps given us the benefit of switched momentum.”

Du Plessis only recently returned from a three-match ban for dangerous play in the United Rugby Championship match against Munster.

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Dylan Jack