The Lions’ hopes of snapping a three-game slump in the URC took a hit on Saturday when it was announced that lock Ruben Schoeman has been banned until March.
Schoeman has been handed a five-game suspension following what was deemed a dangerous clear-out of flyhalf Manie Libbok in last week’s 29-10 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
A URC press release stated that, “while Schoeman’s apology, acceptance of the decision, and good conduct during the hearing earned him a three-week mitigation, his record of two previous red cards in the past 13 months added two weeks back to the sanction.”
Ruben Schoeman puts the Emirates Lions in a spot of bother with this incident 👀🟥
📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/HCy9QGolUC
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) December 21, 2024
Schoeman is set to miss the following Lions fixtures:
– at Montpellier, 11 January (EPCR Challenge Cup)
– v Dragons, 18 January (EPCR Challenge Cup)
– v Bulls, 25 January (URC)
– v Stormers, 15 February (URC)
– at Bulls, 22 February (URC)
Schoeman will clear suspension for the URC match against the Sharks at Ellis Park on 1 March.
Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images
