A South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) disciplinary hearing has decided that no further action should be taken against Investec Western Province forward Schalk Burger, who was red-carded during the Absa Currie Cup clash against the Lions last weekend.
Chairperson Jannie Lubbe found that the referee’s sanction on the day was punishment enough.
Two other hearings chaired by Advocate Lubbe found two players guilty of doping offences. Leopards’ Willie Steenkamp was banned for life and a junior player from Mpumalanga was suspended for six months (until February 28) for using marijuana.
The player’s province has been ordered to enrol him in a rehabilitation programme during the period.
A Sarfu hearing in August 2003 had found Steenkamp guilty of using anabolic steroids and he was given a two-year ban. He was subsequently tested during the ban and found to have used a different anabolic steroid.
The life ban is in line with the International Rugby Board (IRB) regulations regarding the use of banned substances. — Sapa