A spectator who tackled an Irish referee at a Durban rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand on Saturday appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Sunday.
Inspector Michael Read said Pieter Van Zyl (43) was granted R3 000 bail. He will appear in court again on September 9.
Van Zyl, who owns Mustang Mining Supplies in the Potchefstroom area, was arrested on Saturday after tackling referee Dave McHugh. McHugh’s shoulder was dislocated during the tackle.
Van Zyl was charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and trespassing.
Read said a debriefing involving all interested parties would be held in Durban on Monday to establish how Van Zyl gained access onto the field while the game was in progress.
About 500 policemen and private security personnel were at Saturday’s match.
SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer said during a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday that Van Zyl would be banned from attending rugby games in South Africa ”for the rest of his life”. – Sapa