Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen received a six-week ban on Monday from a Super Rugby judicial committee after committing a dangerous tackle at the weekend.
He was sent off during the first half of a 9-9 draw against the Melbourne Rebels in at Kings Park Stadium Durban for fouling Fijian Sefenaia Naivalu.
Esterhuizen grabbed the giant winger around the throat and flung him face-first to the ground at Kings Park stadium.
He misses games against the Jaguares, Western Force, Southern Kings, Sunwolves and the Stormers.
Heck, Andre Esterhuizen gets 6 weeks for Saturday's 'spear' tackle on Rebels player. @IOLsport
— Jacques vdWesthuyzen (@jacq_west) April 24, 2017
The Sharks do not play during the final week of his suspension.
Rebels skipper and scrum-half Nic Stirzaker, sent off in the same match after twice being yellow-carded for deliberate knock-downs, escaped further punishment.
Andre Esterhuizen has been suspended for 6 weeks for this tip tackle in Saturday's #SHAvREB match. #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/t97CzrdqKC
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) April 24, 2017