This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis was cleared of stamping on Tuesday following a SARU judicial hearing in Cape Town on Monday.
The player was cited for allegedly stamping on Toyota Free State Cheetahs flank Pieter Labuschagne in their Absa Currie Cup semifinal at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban last Saturday, which was in breach of Law 10.4 (b). He received a yellow card in the 65th minute for the incident.
Advocate André Oosthuizen on Monday reserved his judgment on the matter, and cleared Du Plessis of the charge on Tuesday.
In his judgement, Advocate Oosthuizen ruled that based on the facts placed before him by the player and the assistant referee Cobus Wessels, as well as the video footage viewed during the enquiry, the contact Du Plessis made with Labuschagne was accidental.
The ruling will come as a huge relief to the Sharks, as the Springbok hooker is now free to play for the Durban franchise in Saturday's Absa Currie Cup final against Western Province at Newlands.
