Springboks: Jasper Wiese learns suspension fate after mindless headbutt

Jared Wright
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Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese and his headbutt against Italy.

Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese and his headbutt against Italy.

Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese has been banned for four matches following his red card in the victory over Italy in Gqeberha.

In the 21st minute of the match, Wiese and Danilo Fischetti were involved in a bit of grappling and shoving before the Bok forward lashed out and headbutted the Italian prop.

Jasper Wiese banned

Referee Andrew Brace reviewed the incident along with his officiating team and opted against issuing a 20-minute red card and instead showed a full red, meaning South Africa played the remainder of the match with 14-man.

Rassie Erasmus’ charges still went on to claim an emphatic 45-0 victory with Wiese’s actions effectively sidelining him for the next four games, including three Rugby Championship fixtures.

In a statement confirming the suspension, World Rugby stated that Wiese “accepted that foul play had occurred but did not accept that the offence warranted a red card.”

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However, the Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Rhian Willians (Wales), joined by former international Match Officials Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Valeriu Tomu (Romania) disagreed.

Having considered the player’s submissions, along with the clips and other available evidence and found that the red card was upheld by the committee.

“While the red card issued was for Law 9.11 (a player must not do anything reckless or dangerous), the Committee agreed that the offence should be 9.12 (striking with the head),” the statement added.

“The Committee considered the appropriate entry point for the offending and decided that the offence warranted a low-end entry point of six matches. Having considered submissions as regards mitigation, the Committee decided on a final sanction of four matches.”

Wiese will now miss South Africa’s final incoming series match against Georgia as well as the first three matches of the Rugby Championship against Australia (twice) and New Zealand.

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Wiese suspended for the following matches:

South Africa v Georgia – 19 July 2025
South Africa v Australia – 16 August 2025
South Africa v Australia – 23 August 2025
New Zealand v South Africa – 6 September 2025

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Internationals Jasper Wiese