MELBOURNE REBELS FORWARD Laurie Weeks was banned for three weeks today after repeatedly punching a South African opponent in a Super 15 match three days ago.
He struck fellow tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis of the Coastal Sharks after being slapped on the back of the head by the long-serving Springbok in Durban.
Super 15 organisers SANZAR announced the three-week suspension in a statement.
Sharks won 25-21 in a match-up between two of the also-rans of the southern hemisphere inter-provincial rugby championship.
Weeks will miss the Rebels’ last two league fixtures at home to the South African Northern Bulls this Saturday and to fellow Australians Western Force six days later.