Steyn issued off field yellow card

Steyn has been issued an Off Field yellow card for the incident. 

The incident occurred in the 16th minute of the match between the Sharks and Waratahs at Growthpoint KINGS PARK in Durban on Saturday 29 March 2014.

SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe SC assessed the case.

In his finding, Mr Lubbe ruled the following:

"Video evidence of the incident showed that Steyn executed initially a legitimate tackle on his immediate opponent by grabbing the bottom of the jumper of the Waratahs player, Kurtley Beale with both hands.This was done at speed and in a dynamic situation.

"In the process of the tackle, Beale passed the ball to a team mate but after the pass, Steyn continued with the tackle by going to ground and swinging his opponent with him. This resulted in the tackled player landing on his back and his head hitting the ground with some force. The referee called for a review of the incident and having reviewed the incident, awarded a penalty against the Sharks.

"The Citing Commissioner correctly pointed out in his report that as a result of the late tackle, the Waratahs player was placed at risk of injury to his spinal and head area.

"Mr Gerrie Swart submitted on behalf of the player that the initial tackle was legitimate and that Steyn had no intent of causing injury to his opponent as he was not in a position to observe that the tackled player had passed the ball.

"In assessing the circumstances around the incident, an off field yellow card was considered the appropriate sanction as a suspension was not warranted for the offence."

All SANZAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to a Duty Judicial Officer hearing to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the DJO.

(File photo:Gallo Images)