The United Rugby Championship has confirmed that David Kriel is free to play after his red card in the clash between the Bulls and Ospreys last Saturday was rescinded.
As reported by SA Rugby Magazine, Kriel received a red card in the clash in Swansea after referee Eoghan Cross adjudged the utility back to have led with his forearm and elbow into the head and neck area of an Ospreys defender, after reviewing the incident with the TMO.
A URC disciplinary panel found that while an act of foul play had occurred and contact was made with the head and neck area of the tackler, a combination of factors – including the Kriel’s attempt at a hand-off to protect himself, the speed & height of the tackling player, and the low force of the contact in question – was such that on balance of probability, a red card should not have been issued.
The red card has, therefore, been rescinded and Kriel is free to play and available for selection this weekend, when the Vodacom Bulls take on the Scarlets in Llanelli in the second game of their three-match tour.
In a poll that the magazine ran after the final whistle in Wales, 33% of voters would have liked to have seen Cross wave play on and not award a penalty for the home side, while only 31% felt Kriel deserved to receive a yellow card.
