Engels, Wasserman banned
Tuesday February 28 2006
The Bulls will be without the services of forwards, prop Jaco Engels and loose forward Johan Wasserman, for the next few weeks. Both were suspended after being found guilty of striking opponents during the Super 14 Round Three match against the Waratahs in Pretoria last Saturday.
Two weeks: Johan Wasserman
Engels was suspended for three weeks by a SANZAR judicial hearing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, while Wasserman was banned for two weeks for his part of an incident during the match - won 26-17 by the Bulls..
This follows after two Waratah players - flank Rocky Elsom (four weeks) and prop Matt Dunning (one week) - were also banned for their part in the fighting which marred last Saturday's encounter. Elsom has subsequently filed an appeal for the penalty imposed against him.
While the two Waratah players appeared before a hearing on Sunday, in order to join their teammates on a flight back home later in the day, the Bulls players only appeared before the judicial hearing on Tuesday.
The SANZAR Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday comprised of Nape Dlamo (Chairman), Boela van der Merwe and advocate Max Baer.
Wasserman deliberated that he attempted to clean an opponent from a ruck.
Whilst Engels admitted to the charge, he added that he sprung to the defence of his team-mate who at the time, was involved in a scuffle with an opponent on the ground.
After careful consideration of all the evidence, including clear video evidence of the incident, and submissions made on behalf of the players, the committee found that the two players were clearly guilty of the offence.
The double suspension on Tuesday brings the total number of bans for Week Three of the Super 14 to six.
The latest bans mean Engels will miss two matches and Wasserman just one.
The Bulls have a bye this week. They face the Highlanders in Week Five - a game both players will miss - and the Hurricanes a week later, when Wasserman will be back but Engels still on the sideline.
When the Bulls head to Australia in Week Seven, where they will face the Western Force in Perth, both players will be available again.
* The loss of Engels and Wasserman will be partly offset by the return of Springboks Victor Matfield (lock and the Bulls' first choice captain) and hooker Gary Botha (hooker).
While Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer will be disappointed to have lost the services of Engels and Wasserman, he will welcome the return of his two senior stars.
Matfield and Botha, who have been sidelined with knee injuries since pre-season games against the Cats and Sharks, will make their Super 14 debut against the Highlanders.
This in itself will bring about a big change to the Bulls' competitiveness in the line-outs, set scrums and tight play.
Matfield's return will also mean that Fourie du Preez will be able to concentrate fully on his role as scrum-half after he also captained the side in the first three Super 14 matches.
Wessel Roux is likely to take over at loosehead prop from Engels, while Pedrie Wannenburg will replace Wasserman on the flank.
Meyer could even opt to include Pierre Spies, who returned to loose forward this year after playing on the wing for a season r two.
While Spies is still struggling to find his feet among the forwards, his obvious speed and skills make him a major attribute in a team where real ball fetchers among the loose forwards are a rarity.
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The Truth was right... WAHAHAHAAHAH!
