South African born lock Ryno Pieterse was sent off for a shocking late tackle which has gone viral while playing for Castres against Bordeaux in the Top 14 on Saturday.

Castres grabbed a last-gasp 23-all draw against Bordeaux, thanks to a late penalty from flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta, but the game was marred by a horror tackle by Pieterse.

The South African was on as a substitute, but received his marching orders in the 64th minute after leaping in for a late and dangerous tackle that left Bordeaux scrumhalf Maxime Lucu floored after kicking the ball.

Ryno Pieterse shown a straight red card for this tackle on Maxime Lucu #COUBB #TOP14 pic.twitter.com/KA2WuHfTaX

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 18, 2021

Replays of the tackle have gone viral on social media, with former Test referee Nigel Owens calling for Pieterse to be handed a “very, very lengthy ban”.

I never get involved in Citing’s or length of ban conversations. But this was as obvious a RC you will see and well done Romain, no TMO lengthy conversations. But it has to now be followed by a very very lengthy ban. https://t.co/oh2r1DGu2A

— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) September 18, 2021