Esterhuizen banned for six weeks

The following from News24:-
A SANZAAR Judicial Committee has found Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen guilty of contravening Law 10.4(j): Lifting a player from the ground and either dropping or driving that player's head and/or upper body into the ground whilst the player's feet are off the ground, after he was issued with a red card during the Super Rugby match against the Rebels in Durban on Saturday.

Esterhuizen has been suspended for 6 weeks. 

The incident occurred in the 17th minute of the match at Kings Park.

The SANZAAR judicial hearing was held via video conference on Monday and was heard by Michael Heron (chairperson), De Wet Barry and John Langford.

In his finding, Heron ruled: "Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Thembelani Mayosi, the Judicial Committee accepted a guilty plea from the player in respect of Law 10.4(j).
 
"With respect to sanction the judicial committee deemed the act of foul merited a mid range entry point of 10 weeks. It was deemed to be reckless in nature and placed the opposing player in an extremely dangerous position."
 
"In regards to aggravating factors, it was noted that the player was suspended for a similar offence in 2015 and subsequently one week was added to the suspension period. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's excellent conduct throughout the judicial process, his on-field apology to the opposing player, his remorse and his early guilty plea, the foul play review committee reduced the suspension to 6 weeks.

"The player is therefore suspended for 6 weeks.”

As a result of the ban, Esterhuizen will miss the Sharks' trip to Buenos Aires to play the Jaguares, their home match against the Force, the trip to Port Elizabeth to play the Kings, the trip to Singapore to face the Sunwolves and the Sharks' key home match against the Stormers."

In an earlier mention of the incident on this site I said I think that Esterhuizen should get a 6 week suspension and was spot on.

Was surprised that Botha did not get a ban too.

Between those two they manage to sabotage the Sharks efforts in the game.

Esterhuizen is the re-incarnated clone of Fat Steyn. Loves to crash-ball and make dangerous tackles.  
The only differences being
1. Fran's Steyn was once an athlete, and one of the finest long distance kickers in the game. He won games that should have been lost due to his long distance ability of kicking. 
2. Frans Steyn also had a brain at one stage- but he must have eaten this along with one of his knee caps, when he weighed in at 127 KG. 
Eztebeth only weights 117KG- so this puts some perspective on how fat Steyn actually was.
Jake White made the Sharks players run in the Durban Humidity- and this was like a million Suana's- and the only way for Steyn to become fitter again.  He subsequently got fit- but he no longer has a step due to lack of balance and acceleration. 

 SB 
Exactly.   However, I think that Fat Fransie at full back allowed him enough time to think - at flyhalf he was a failure and a worse failure at center because of less thinking time.   Can you imagine a center who made 1 line break and beat 8 defenders in all Super 15 games in 2014 and lost ball possession 32 times in that series.   Fat Fransie's brain got Fat too? 
But then Esterhuizen was just following Fat Fransie tackle attempt with one difference -
*   Fat Fransie copped a 5 week ban; and*   Esterhuizen copped a 6 week ban.
Brainless idiots should not play rugby - not on Super 15 level and definitely not at test level. 
  

6 weeks when others are getting a 3-week rest...... 
Not consistent now are we!
I do not condone foul play but we are approaching the stage of turning the game into touch rugby as I use to played on Addington Beach at lunch time daily.
The high tackle rule now applicable is another issue that requires some modifications.No consistency in applying that rule as well by those excellent refs each and every week.
Perhaps I am expecting too much from the refs but I know expert replies will correct my opinion.

 This foul was just stupid as he didn't need to turn him and drive the player's head and shoulder to the ground.

 A typical series of South African events. Foul play backed by reduced sentences. Yaaaaawn same old same old.
Beeno to admit South Africans suck big time!
Crusadersfan getting the perspective right as always.
2nd time in 2 years for the same charge and gets a 5 week reduction. Something stinks in SA

 Crusaderfan
Nobody justifies dirty play and the guy got 6 weeks - probably the longest ban of any of the players this year.    However, there has been some dispute about player bans and the players who gets away with murder is often enough the NZ players.  
I do not rate Esterhuizen as a player - a dunce if there was anything like that in rugby.  He is just like Fat Fransie Steyn - another player with serious thinkin problems.  
Incidentally - ignore Beeno, he is on par with Esterhuizen and Steyn on the thinking scale. 

Just thought it was to good an oppurtunity to copy beendicks rant and throw it back at him.
I dont have any issue's with the 6 week ban