Morne Steyn cleared to play for Bulls after taking ‘How to tackle’ course

Flyhalf Morne Steyn has been cleared for the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Munster on Saturday, 12 March.

Kick-off at Loftus Versfeld is at 16:05.

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Steyn had, as reported by The South African website, received a three-week ban following a red card against the Sharks, but has since completed a “World Rugby HPC Coaching Intervention Process” and has been cleared to play a week earlier.

Morne Steyn had tackled Lukhanyo Am

The 37-year-old received the red card after a late and high shot on fellow Springbok Lukhanyo Am in a URC match between the Bulls and Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday, 12 February.

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Steyn’s availability will be a massive boost for Jake White’s team ahead of what is likely to be a tough test against a formidable Munster outfit, despite the Irish side missing a host of players on Six Nations duty.

WATCH | MORNE STEYN BANNED FOR THIS TACKLE ON LUKHANYO AM

A URC Disciplinary statement read: “Morné Steyn of Bulls was suspended by a panel after his red card in the United Rugby Championship Round 12 game against the Sharks on Saturday, February 12, 2022.

“The Player was shown a red card by referee AJ Jacobs in the 12th minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

“A Disciplinary Panel considered all of the evidence available and concluded that the referee’s decision to issue the red card was not wrong and so upheld the red card. The Panel determined that the entry point be mid-range which carried a suspension of six (6) weeks. The Player did accept that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.

“The Panel considered the Player’s previous good record and admittance to a late and high tackle, and determined that it would reduce the sanction by three (3) weeks.

“Subsequently the Player has successfully taken part in the World Rugby HPC Coaching Intervention process, where a Player can undergo a coaching session to modify their technique or behaviours. This process is overseen by an independent expert coaching review group, which has reduced the ban by a further week.

“The player is now free to play as of Sunday, 6 March, 2022 and can be selected for the Bulls fixture with Munster.”