Springbok flanker Francois Louw suspended for three weeks

South Africa international and Bath flanker Francois Louw has been suspended for three weeks after pleading guilty of making contact with the eye area of Benetton’s second row Marco Fuser during a Champions Cup game last Saturday.

An independent Disciplinary Committee examined video evidence and heard submissions from Louw. The Committee determined that Louw’s fault justified a red card and imposed him a suspension of three weeks. The flanker will be able to return on Monday, 6 November.

The game ended 23-0 for Bath. Here’s a video of the incident in question:

Citation against Fuser dismissed

Benetton’s Marco Fuser was also cited by the match Citing Commissioner for biting Louw prior to the hand in face incident.

However, as there was insufficient evidence to prove the charge against the Italian second-row, an independent Disciplinary Committee dismissed the citing complaint.

Bath’s director: “We are disappointed to lose Francois”

Regarding the incident, Todd Blackadder, Bath’s director of Rugby is cited by Bathchronicle: “We are disappointed to lose Francois for three weeks but accept the decision.

'There was absolutely no malice in Francois’s actions and there was another incident at the time, for which the opposition player has been cited.

'However, we all know that you cannot put your hands on someone’s face due to the risk to player safety and we accept the sanction imposed by the authorities.

“Our attention is now focused on preparing for our game against Scarlets on Friday night.”

Louw available for Boks’ year-end tour

Since Louw’s suspension ends on November 6, he will be available to play in the Springboks’ year-end tour in Europe.

South Africa will face Ireland in Dublin on November 11, France in Paris on November 18, Italy in Padova on November 25 and Wales in Cardiff on December 2.