FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool B - South Africa v Tonga - Orange Velodrome, Marseille, France - October 1, 2023 South Africa's Jasper Wiese REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa number eight Jasper Wiese has been suspended for six matches, leaving the world champions short of experienced options at the back of the scrum for their home series against Ireland and the start of the Rugby Championship.
Wiese received a red card in his final match for Leicester Tigers against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday when he lifted Ross Vincent off the ground and did not release him with due care, leading to the player's head hitting the pitch.
It is a fourth red card in six seasons for Wiese, which meant he was not entitled to full mitigation credit, and ironically his suspension comes on the day he was named in the English Premiership team of the season for 2023-24.
Wiese will miss South Africa's June 22 test against Wales in London, the highly anticipated two-match home series versus Ireland and a one-off fixture with Portugal.
He is also suspended for the Springboks' first two games of the Rugby Championship, both away in Australia.
It leaves South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus with limited options at number eight following the retirement of Duane Vermeulen after last year's World Cup triumph in France.
Options include the less experienced Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw, and uncapped Cameron Hanekom, who have all been touted as future Springbok regulars but have five international appearances between them.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken Ferris)
