Rugby | ABSA Currie Cup

Jean Tiedt © Gallo Images

Leopards found guilty



Platinum Leopards fullback Jean Tiedt and loose forward RW Kember have been suspended for one week after being found guilty of foul play during last Friday's Absa Currie Cup match against Western Province in Potchefstroom.


The players appeared before separate Saru judicial hearings in Johannesburg which were chaired by Rob Stelzner.

Tiedt was cited for a dangerous tackle on WP centre Tim Whitehead in the 52nd minute of the match during his side's 42-23 defeat to Province. He was cited for lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground.

The Platinum Leopards fullback pleaded not guilty.

His defence argued that Tiedt was unable to assist or guide Whitehead down onto the ground after having lifted him, because if he had continued to hold onto him after turning him around, he would have fallen on top of the WP centre and would probably have hurt him in the process.

The defence also argued that the tip was unintended and unavoidable.

Kember was cited for a dangerous tackle on WP hooker Deon Fourie in the 62nd minute of the game. He was cited for dangerously tackling above the shoulder line and around the neck.

The Platinum Leopards loose forward pleaded not guilty. His defence argued that the tackle around the neck was unintended, but a freak accident as a result of a high-speed split- second legitimate attempt at saving a try.

Both players have the right to appeal.



Sports Talk



Gavin Rich
Why I won’t bet against Smitty
The photographer who captured John Smit and Victor Matfield standing together after the Springboks...

Brenden Nel
Will fortune favour the brave?
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will be hoping the old adage: ‘fortune favours the brave’ will be...

Tony Johnson
Have the Boks turned the corner?
The lady who does the blood tests at my local medical lab in Auckland is from South Africa. She is...