Mapimpi banned for two weeks for eye-gouging
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Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi has been suspended for two weeks for "making contact with the eye or eye area" of Union Bordeaux-Begles scrumhalf, Maxime Lucu, during their 32-3 victory at Kings Park last weekend.
Mapimpi, who had been named in the Sharks’ touring squad for two matches in Europe, has been replaced by Francois Venter.
The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Disciplinary Committee deemed that Mapimpi's transgression "warranted a red card" but was on the low end of World Rugby's sanction regulations.
Mapimpi was initially given a four-week ban, which was reduced to two weeks because of the player's good disciplinary record.
The winger will miss the Sharks' Champions Cup clash against Harlequins in London on Saturday (15:00 kick-off) and the visit to Edinburgh the following Saturday in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
