Springbok Matfield escapes punishment
Sunday, 7 August 2005 16:12Springbok lock Victor Matfield has been found not guilty by a disciplinary commission of carrying out a dangerous tackle in Saturday's Tri-nations match against New Zealand in Cape Town.
Matfield was cited for a challenge on All Black scrumhalf Byron Kelleher in the 10th minute that led to the withdrawal of the New Zealander.
South Africa won the match 22-16.
"The committee determined that the referee had not made an error in his determination that the tackle was not dangerous, but it was the result of a collision between players in a dynamic and legitimate tackle situation," South Africa, Australia and New Zealand Rugby (SANZAR) said in a statement.
The disciplinary commission, which met on Sunday, was chaired by Michael Goodwin of Australia and included South Africans Jannie Lubbe and Piet Nieman.
