Stormers prop Sandi cops ban for red card hit on Jamie Ritchie

Stormers prop Sazi Sandi has been hit with a ban after receiving a red card for a head clash hit on Edinburgh’s Jamie Ritchie.

The 122kg prop was red-carded by referee Frank Murphy for the tackle attempt in the 74th minute of the Stormers’  BKT United Rugby Championship Round 3 game against Edinburgh last Saturday in Cape Town.

The hit flattened the Scotland back row and it was immediately referred to the TMO for review.

Friday – Johan Goosen ?
Saturday – Sazi Sandi ?#BULvCON #STOvEDI @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/HJd8o5wOnb

— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 2, 2022

It was found that Sandi was culpable in the collision he was duly sent off.

A URC statement reads: “The panel overseeing the disciplinary process, David Martin (Chair) and Kim Moloney (both Ireland), Chris Watts (Wales) found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received full mitigation due to his behaviour and clean record which results in a three week/game suspension, the Panel confirmed that he can apply to World Rugby for the HPC Coaching Intervention, which would reduce his suspension to two games.”

“As a result the Player will be suspended for a period of three weeks.”

Should Sandi complete the “Coaching Intervention Programme” then the sanction will be reduced by one week, the official statement concluded.

Many didn’t agree with the initial red card decision from Murphy, who felt that Sandi’s role in the collision was simply to be run into.  “Sazi Sandi got red for just standing there, ridiculous,” wrote one fan on Twitter.

Sazi Sandi got red for just standing there, ridiculous.

— Nkosikhona Zungu (@NkosiJeromeZung) October 2, 2022