A South African Rugby Union (Saru) judicial officer has rejected a
complaint that the Valke fielded an ineligible player in their Absa
Currie Cup First Division semifinal against the Leopards on 3 October.
The Valke won the match 31-24.
The Leopards complained that Valke flyhalf Clinton Swart was ineligible
for the match as he had only been available to play for the team for two
matches before the semifinal. They argued that the regulations required
for him to be available for five log matches to be eligible for the
playoffs.
The Leopards based their complaint on the argument that the Absa Currie
Cup First Division was a double round tournament – including the
preceding Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Qualifying tournament – and
therefore required a five-match availability qualification period for
playoff appearances.
The Valke argued that the tournament was a single round competition and
therefore required only a two-match qualification period.
Saru Judicial Officer Rob Stelzner, SC, ruled that the competition was a
single round tournament and that the Valke had not breached the
regulations as Swart had fulfilled the appropriate qualification
criteria.
“In my view the First Division competition (as dealt with under its
separate heading) is to be treated as a separate and distinct single
round competition with the preceding Qualifying Round (separately dealt
with under a different rule) being played in a similar and distinct
single round format,” wrote Advocate Stelzner in his verdict. “In the
circumstances the complaint is not upheld.”
By SuperSports
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