Wiese's four-match ban means he misses the biggest test of the year

Springbok No.8 Jasper Wiese’s moment of madness has cost him a chance of playing in the biggest test of the year after a disciplinary proceeding handed him a four-match ban on Tuesday.

Wiese, who was red-carded by referee Andrew Brace during the Springboks 45-0 win over Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha, was handed the ban by the disciplinary committee and it will mean that not only will he miss Saturday’s one-off test against Georgia in Mbombela, but also both home tests against Australia next month.

The fourth game ban is the most costly, as it will rule out Wiese from the massive test match between the Springboks and All Blacks at Eden Park in September - a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final which will probably go down as the biggest game of the year.

Wiese will be eligible for the second test against the All Blacks in Wellington, as well as the two games against Argentina in Durban and London to close off the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

The disciplinary committee’s decision read as follows:

“South Africa's Jasper Wiese has been suspended for four matches for a red card offence contrary to Law 9.12 (striking with the head). The red card was issued in South Africa's match against Italy on 12 July, 2025.

“The independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) met on Sunday, 13 July and was chaired by Roddy Dunlop KC, joined by former players Jamie Corsi (Wales) and Olly Kohn (Wales). In accordance with the remit of the new expedited off-field sanction process trial operational in the July internationals, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix 1 of Regulation 17. The FPRC meets without the attendance of the player or their representatives, or World Rugby. However, written submissions may be provided by the player to the FPRC for consideration.

“The FPRC has the power to:

Issue a warning

Offer the player a proposed sanction based on Appendix 1 of Regulation 17

Refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee

Dismiss the red card and/or citings only in the case of mistaken identity

“The FPRC decided to refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee.”

The Disciplinary Committee met on Tuesday, 15 July, 2025 and was chaired by Rhian Willians (Wales), joined by former international match officials Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Valeriu Tomu (Romania).

“The player accepted that foul play had occurred but did not accept that the offence warranted a red card. The Disciplinary Committee considered the player’s submissions, along with the clips and other available evidence and found that the red card was upheld. While the red card issued was for Law 9.11 (a player must not do anything reckless or dangerous), the Committee agreed that the offence should be 9.12 (striking with the head).

“The Committee considered the appropriate entry point for the offending and decided that the offence warranted a low-end entry point of six matches. Having considered submissions as regards mitigation, the Committee decided on a final sanction of four matches.

“The player is therefore suspended for the following matches:

19 July, 2025 - South Africa v Georgia

16 August, 2025 - South Africa v Australia

23 August, 2025 - South Africa v Australia

6 September, 2025 - New Zealand v South Africa

“Because the Disciplinary Committee sat as the first instance hearing body, the player has 48 hours to appeal from receipt of the full written decision.”

The Springboks are unlikely to appeal the decision, and Wiese’s ban has complicated an already difficult selection process with Elrigh Louw (knee), Cameron Hanekom (hamstring tear) and Juardo Augustus (injury unknown) already ruled out for the no.8 position. Jean-Luc du Preez returned to England to be with his wife for the birth of their child.