Barbarians FC player Schalk Brits appeared before IRB Judicial Officer Steve Lewis (Japan) in Hong Kong on 2nd June 2013 as a result of being cited by IRB Citing Commissioner Simon Ryan (Japan) for striking another player with his arm contrary to Law 10.4 (a) in the match between the British & Irish Lions Vs Barbarians FC in Hong Kong on Saturday 1st June.
Having considered all of the available evidence, the Judicial Officer considered that the foul play constituted a mid-range offence warranting an entry point of 5 weeks.
However, as a result of compelling mitigating factors, the sanction was reduced from 5 weeks to 3 weeks.
This match was the last of the season for Shalk Brits and his playing schedule for the 2013-14 season has not yet been determined.
The IRB’s sanctions for foul play have been established on the basis that a one week period of suspension would normally result in a player missing one match.
Consequently, he is suspended from all rugby up to and including the third AVIVA Premiership match of the 2013-14 season, unless the Judicial Officer confirms in writing that any pre-season match shall be considered meaningful for the purpose of regulation 17.19.11 (d) in which case such match shall be included as one of the 3 matches.
