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CAPE TOWN – The citing of Samoa fullback James So’oialo for grabbing the testicles of Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss during Saturday’s Incoming Series match at Loftus Versfeld was dismissed yesterday. So’oialo was cited by Peter Larter of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) according to law 10.4(m), committing an act contrary to good sportsmanship, for an incident which occurred in the 12th minute of the second half.
Judicial officer, Jeff Blackett (RFU), decided that the contact was accidental and dismissed the citing.
Blackett said: “If I am to uphold this citing I must conclude that the player has lied to me.
“My assessment of the player is that he is honest. He immediately accepted that he had grabbed an opponent’s testicles – he did not attempt to dispute that fact – and he said that there is no room in the game for insidious acts.
“Further there was no attempt to weaken the evidence given by Strauss who himself accepted that there was probably no malicious intention. In those circumstances I determine on the balance of probabilities that the player did not intend to squeeze Strauss’s testicles, nor were his actions reckless.
“In the dynamic situation of a ruck in which he was attempting to clear out an opponent he attempted to grab hold of his shorts and accidentally grabbed his testicles.”
Meanwhile, Samoan wing, Alesana Tuilagi, was suspended for two weeks after receiving a red card in the match for a dangerous tackle on Springbok centre, Jean de Villiers.
He is free to play again on July 15.
South Africa won the Test, 56-23.-Sport24.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo