Cell C Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse has appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 (dangerous play) during the Cell C Sharks’ match against the British and Irish Lions on 10 July 2021.
The independent Disciplinary Committee chaired by Stephen Hardy (Australia), joined by former internationals John Langford (Australia) and David Croft (Australia), heard the case and were presented with all available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from the player and his representatives.
The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card. Having reviewed and considered all of the available evidence before the Committee, the Committee deemed that the player had breached Law 9.12 in that he had physically struck British and Irish Lions No.15 Liam Williams with his elbow/forearm, connecting with Williams’s head/neck area.
As there had been contact with Williams’s head/neck area, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play. This resulted in a starting point of a six-match suspension.
Having acknowledged various mitigating factors including the player’s clear and genuine remorse, early acknowledgement of culpability, an apology was given directly to both Williams and the referee and exemplary disciplinary record to date, the Committee reduced the six-match entry point by three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks being imposed. This means that the player will miss the following matches:
- Friday, 16 July – Pumas
- Wednesday, 21 July – Bulls
- Saturday, 24 July – Cheetahs
Hendrikse has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the Disciplinary Committee issuing its full written decision.