SANZAR appeals own decision to clear Steyn

Super Rugby's governing body has taken the unusual step of challenging a ruling by its own judicial committee after Coastal Sharks star Francois Steyn was cleared of a dangerous play charge. The South Africa centre was red-carded in the first half of last weekend's bitter match with the Waikato Chiefs in Durban when the Chiefs' fly-half Aaron Cruden was upended. A judicial committee representing the organisers of the southern hemisphere's inter-provincial championship cleared Steyn and ordered the cancellation of his red card. However, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby (SANZAR) has appealed the ruling with a rehearing set for Friday on the eve of the Sharks' clash with the Western Force. "SANZAR has lodged an appeal against the outcome of a judicial hearing held on Monday March 23 that found Francois Steyn of the Sharks not guilty of contravening Law 10.4," the SANZAR body said in a statement Thursday. Law 10.4 forbids lifting a player and driving him head-first into the ground. Three players were ordered off during the first half of a match won 12-11 by the Sharks with their skipper Bismarck du Plessis banned for four Super 15 matches and rival hooker Hikawera Elliot for one. Chiefs skipper and flanker Liam Messam was cited for a dangerous tackle but this was later downgraded to a lesser charge of unsportsmanlike conduct, and he escaped punishment.