Castres' Ryno Pieterse has apologised for his dreadful tackle on Bordeaux scrum-half Maxime Lucu.
Pieters was sent off after a head-first launch high into the chest of his opponent who had kicked the ball clear during the Top 14 clash.
The South African was immediately sent off, with referee Nigel Owens later tweeting: "I never get involved in Citing's [sic] or length of ban conversations. But this was as obvious a RC you will see and well done Romain, no TMO lengthy conversations. But it has to now be followed by a very very lengthy ban."
Lucu was substituted after the incident but later said: "Everything is fine! Still standing."
Forward Pieterse, a towering 6'5", released his own statement on social media.
"I would like to apologise to Maxime Lucu for my gesture yesterday," he wrote on Instagram.
"I didn't master my tackle and I'm sincerely sorry. As I told you after the game, I'm really happy that you're okay Maxime. Good luck for the rest of the season."
