URC: Bulls star flyhalf ruled out
Although the Bulls will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last weekend, they will have to do so without a key Springbok.
Last weekend, the Bulls placed a notable priority on a crucial United Rugby Championship game against champions Munster, but unfortunately the result did not go in their favour.
The Bulls had also headed into that game hoping a big response after a heavy defeat against Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup quarter-finals, and yet proceedings didn’t go according to script after star flyhalf Johan Goosen was shown a red card.
Going down to 14 men undoubtedly played a bit part in the 27-22 victory for the visitors, and it’s now been confirmed by the URC that Goosen’s indiscretion has resulted in a three game suspension.
“Under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously,” a statement read. “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.
“In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Scotland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Sheriff Mackie found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received three weeks (50%) mitigation due to his good record and apology to the player which results in a three game suspension.”
However, it was also notably added that should Goosen “complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week”.
BULLS FIXTURES JOHAN GOOSEN IS UNAVAILABLE FOR:
- Ospreys, 27 April 2024, BKT URC
- Glasgow Warriors, 11 May 2024, BKT URC
- Benetton, 18 May 2024, BKT URC
Fortunately for the Bulls, all their remaining matches are in South Africa.
However Jake White’s team will still be wary of Ospreys when they take the field at Loftus Versfeld this weekend, especially after the Welsh outfit surprised the Stormers with a 27-21 victory in Cape Town last week.
Yet the Bulls will be hellbent to make up for their first home defeat of the season last week, which saw them drop to fourth place on the table – eight points behind Leinster, seven behind Glasgow, and two behind Munster.
However, with Munster facing the Emirates Lions and Leinster taking on the Stormers in South Africa, the Bulls will be hoping that their domestic counterparts do them a favour as they continue to hunt a spot in the top two for a home quarter-final and possibly a home semi-final.
The match could prove to be a humdinger though, as the Pretoria outfit have only won one more match than Ospreys, and although they boast a superior attack with 456 points scored to Ospreys’ 317, the visitors’ defence has been more effective conceding 41 points fewer.
MATCH INFORMATION:
Scarlets v Sharks
Date: Friday, 26 April
Venue: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Referee: Mike Adamson
SA Time: 20h35
TV: SuperSport
Bulls v Ospreys
Date: Saturday, 27 April
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Chris Busby
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SuperSport
Lions v Munster
Date: Saturday, 27 April
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Craig Evans
SA Time: 17h00
TV: SuperSport
Stormers v Leinster
Date: Saturday, 27 April
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: Andrea Piardi
SA Time: 19h05
TV: SuperSport