Cheetahs rugby player cops 13-week ban for grotesquely blowing snot on rival

A professional South African rugby player has been slammed with a 13-week ban for spraying an opponent with his snot during a game.

Cheetahs midfielder Nico Lee copped the large ban after he was cited for the grotesque act against Connacht flanker Colby Fainga'a during during a Pro14 match.

Lee admitted he "cleared the contents of his nose on to the face of an opposing player" to a judiciary, who responded with a firm stance.

"The player's actions are an act of foul play. They have no place in the game," the Pro14 body said.

"This is not a case of over-exuberance, or an act which is within the rules of the game going awry. It follows that by its nature, this act is one that is deserving of punishment. It is contrary to the spirit of sport.

"The effect on the victim player was understandably serious. There is no expectation, and there ought never be an expectation, that an opposing player would clear the contents of their nose on to an opponent."

Lee's actions were deemed a top-end offence with an entry point of 26 weeks but his ban was halved due to his "admission of facts and his clean disciplinary record".

The ban means Lee will be sidelined until July 21.

Lee took to the Cheetahs' social media channels to post an apology, saying "That's not the type of person or player I am and it was an act of stupidity".

The South African club said in a statement it was "uncharacterisitc" from Lee.

"The unsportsmanlike behaviour is seen in a very serious light by rugby hierarchy. The Cheetahs condemn this behaviour which it is not part of the team culture and accept the punishment as such," the Bloemfontein franchise said.

"Nico is a star player and according to information from the team, he deeply regrets his behaviour and apologised immediately after the match to the opponent.

"The Cheetahs realise that he is remorseful of his actions and the team accepts the apology."