SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe after he was red carded against the Bulls.
Springbok and Sharks hooker, Akker van der Merwe, has been banned for three weeks for his role in the bust-up with fellow Springbok hooker, Schalk Britz, of the. The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee accepted a guilty plea from Sharks hooker after he was red carded against the Bulls. The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the match when Van der Merwe head-butted and punched opposite number Brits. Van der Merwe has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including April the 19th. As a result, he will miss the Sharks next three Super Rugby matches against the Lions in Johannesburg and at home against the Jaguares and the Reds.
The Sharks are facing a crisis in the hooker position with Craig Burden sidelined with a bicep injury, while Chiliboy Ralepelle is still waiting for his ‘B’ blood doping test results. Sharks Hooker Akker van der Merwe and Bulls hooker Scalk Britz were both red-carded during the Bulls vs Sharks clash, both shared a beer after the game showing off great sportsmanship.