Springboks: Rassie Erasmus left dumbfounded as Jasper Wiese sees red after mindless act
Rassie Erasmus was left perplexed after Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese was red carded for a headbutt on Italy prop Danilo Fischetti.
After the referee’s whistle in the 21st minute, Wiese was clearly angered by the Italian front rower and grabbed the prop with the pair exchanging handbags.
Jasper Wiese’s red card against Italy
However, the loose forward lashed out and headbutted his opposition.
While the contact was looked rather soft, referee Andrew Brace was left with no choice and issued a full red card to the Springboks number eight.
The 20-minute red card is in play during the July internationals; however, the officials retain the authority to issue a full and permanent red card for any foul play considered deliberate and highly dangerous.
Wiese was ultimately red-carded for contravening law 9.12, which reads: “A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.”
His moment of madness also spoiled the opportunity for him to play alongside his brother Cobus Wiese who was named on the bench for his Test debut.
“We’ve never had the opportunity to play together, and I don’t think there is a better way to do it than by representing your country together,” Jasper said last week.
So, I really hope he gets a run at it, and obviously it’s a massive privilege to have him here, and I’m very glad for him.
“It’s something he’s always dreamed of as well, so I’m really, really glad he’s here, and I hope he uses the opportunity.”
Wiese is now set to miss the final game of July against Georgia with the likely suspension also potentially cover the opening matches of the Rugby Championship.
According to World Rugby’s disciplinary guidelines, a low-end sanction would be four weeks, with Wiese unlikely to see his ban cut in half due to his previous sending offs.
If the incident is deemed to meet the mid-range sanction, he could be banned for 10 weeks but a top-end sanction of 16+ weeks looks unlikely.
