Du Toit Suspended for Three Weeks after World Rugby Hearing

Pieter Steph du Toit, a loose forward for the Springboks, was given a suspension despite insisting that his charge into France's Jonathan Danty was not serious enough to merit a red card.

The incident occurred during South Africa's international match against France in Marseille, and Du Toit was given a red card for it. This judgment made it extremely difficult for the Boks to defeat the Six Nations champions.

The committee reduced du Toit's six-week suspension to three weeks even though they agreed that the charge should be changed from a "physical abuse" incident to a "reckless" act under the Law.

The former World Rugby Player of the Year might have the suspension further reduced to two weeks if he participates in a coaching intervention session.

In either case, Du Toit will not play in both this weekend's match against Italy and the crucial match against England the following weekend at Twickenham.