One of the South African hookers who was red carded over the weekend for throwing punches at an opponent has been suspended for three weeks.
Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe and Bulls opposite Schalk Brits were both sent off during Sunday morning's game after the pair traded blows early in the second half.
SANZAAR judiciary said they halved van der Merwe's suspension due to "mitigating factors including the player's good judicial record and the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity".
The other hooker involved in the incident, Brits, has also been charged but no verdict has yet been reached in his case.
The duo are likely contesting the final spot in the Springboks' World Cup squad for later this year behind Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi.
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