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SPRINGBOK PROP DEAN Greyling has been suspended for two weeks for a forearm smash to the face of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in their Rugby Championship match in Dunedin.
Greyling will miss the Springboks’ next match, against Australia in Pretoria on September 29.
He admitted hitting McCaw in the 64th minute of yesterday’s clash, which was won 21-11 by the All Blacks, when he appeared before SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully on Sunday.
“Greyling, whilst in the process of cleaning out at a ruck, recklessly used his forearm such that he made contact in a dangerous way with the head of New Zealand player Richie McCaw,” Tully said.
“Although there was no injury complained of, the action had potential to cause serious injury.”
Lock Eben Etzebeth, who was banned for two weeks for a headbutt in their previous Test against Australia, will be back for the return match.
Springbok’s coach Heyneke Meyer apologised to McCaw after the match and said Greyling’s behaviour had cost them the game.
“We’re a team that prides ourselves on discipline and we can’t afford these things in games,” Meyer said.
South Africa’s reaction to the incident underline just how reckless a move it was. The judicial officer would appear generous to suggest Greyling ‘was in the process of clearing out a ruck.’ We feel he just flopped in from the side to hit McCaw.
Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers said; “We’ll never condone playing dirty,” before revealing Greyling would face internal action.
