Basson off the hook

Bulls wing Bjorn Basson was found not guilty of tackling Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie dangerously in their match at Kings Park on Saturday.

He was shown a yellow card in the 44th minute of the match, but SANZAR Judicial Officer Adam Casselden decided to impose no further sanction for the tackle.

Casselden heard the case via videoconference on Monday and was assisted by former professional player Mike Mika.

Casselden said: "Having heard the evidence of the player and having watched the video footage a number of times of the incident I was not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Basson was in breach of Law 10.4 (j) of the Laws of the Game.

"In forming this view I was ably assisted by Mike Mika who formed a similar view which was that I could not disregard the evidence of Mr Basson that he was trying to hold the tackled player up but lost control when he lost his grip. The citing was not upheld," he added.