Bok centre André Esterhuizen banned for three matches
Springbok centre André Esterhuizen has been banned for three matches after his red card in the Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein.
His yellow for head contact in a tackle on José Lima was upgraded to red after a review.
Esterhuizen has received a four-week ban, but it will be reduced to three weeks if he completes World Rugby’s intervention course.
He will serve the ban in the Currie Cup, having been omitted from the Rugby Championship tour of Australia, but will be available against the All Blacks.
Recalled Siya Kolisi will captain a 33-man squad for two Rugby Championship matches in Australia next month.
The double Rugby World Cup-winning flanker was among many regulars rested by the title-holders for a 64-21 victory over second-tier Portugal in Bloemfontein last Saturday.
South Africa face Australia in the opening round of the southern hemisphere competition on August 10 in Brisbane and they meet again in Perth seven days later.
Kolisi is among 22 World Cup winners chosen by coach Rassie Erasmus, with the biggest surprise being the inclusion of Bulls lock Ruan Nortje.
Nortje was not selected for several pre-season training camps and could not be considered for the opening Test of this season, a win over Wales in London last month, due to club commitments.
