The Sharks are hoping for a favourable outcome from the disciplinary hearing of star wing Makazole Mapimpi, who was cited for eye-gouging in a Heineken Champions Cup match against BordeauxBègles at the weekend.
The Springbok wing’s case is set to be heard by the European Rugby Champions Cup-appointed independent disciplinary committee (DC) via video conference on Wednesday.
There appears to be a possibility of a lack of video footage to support the allegations with The Sharks having included the 2019 World Cup-winning player in their touring squad to play two matches in Europe despite the citation.
The Sharks play their final group stage match of the Champions Cup against Harlequins at London’s Twickenham Stoop before heading to Scotland for their United Rugby Championship clash against Edinburgh a week later.
Mapimpi is accused of making contact with the eye area of Bordeaux scrumhalf Maxime Lucu during the Sharks’ 32-3 win at Kings Park. According to the rules, contact with the eye or eye area carries the following sanction: low end, four weeks; mid-range, eight weeks; top end, 12 to 52 weeks.
Should Mapimpi be sanctioned, the Sharks will fly a replacement to England.
The team has already secured a place in the Champions Cup round of 16 but would still be keen to make a clean sweep of wins in the group stages.