Cape Town - Sale Sharks' Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Worcester Warriors' Bryce Heem have received one-week and four-week suspensions, respectively, after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel.

Both players were cited following the English Premiership's match between the two teams on Saturday, April 13.

Janse van Rensburg, who previously played for the Lions in South Africa, was alleged to have struck Francois Hougaard in the first half of the match contrary to Law 9.12, while Heem was cited for an alleged tip-tackle on Paolo Odogwu in the second half of the match contrary to Law 9.18.

Janse van Rensburg accepted the charge and was given a one-week suspension by the independent panel comprising of Matthew Weaver (chairperson), Mitchell Read and Guy Lovgreen. He is free to play again on April 23, 2019.

Heem contested the charge but was given a four-week suspension by the same panel. His return to play date is to be confirmed due to only three regular season games remaining.

Regarding the Janse van Rensburg decision, Weaver, said: “The player accepted that he had made contact with the throat of the Worcester player and this action passed the red card threshold.

“The panel were satisfied that the actions were reckless and not deliberate having heard evidence from both the player and from Steve Diamond. In the absence of significant injury to the Worcester player, the panel were satisfied that a low end entry point was appropriate and that he was entitled to full mitigation reducing the sanction to one week.”