Bulls prop Jaco Engels received a three-week suspension and centre JP Nel a one-week ban on Monday following incidents in the weekend’s Super 14 loss to the Sharks.
Cited after the 29-15 defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s final, the pair fronted up to a judiciary at the stadium.
Engels was found guilty of a retaliatory punch at Sharks lock Johan Muller, and Nel found guilty of a spear tackle on fullback Francois Steyn.
Both will miss the Super 14 champion’s home match against the Lions on Friday, and Engels will also miss facing the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on March 15.
Nel will leave with the Bulls on Saturday for their Australia and New Zealand leg, the South African Press Association reported, but Engels will join the travel party in two weeks. He’ll be available to play the Waikato Chiefs in Rotorua on March 22.
Nel was also cited a week ago for a swinging arm tackle against the Canterbury Crusaders, but was let off.
Bulls reserve number eight Dewald Potgieter will be available to play the Lions after his week-long suspension for a spear tackle. — Sapa-AP