Linesman punches prop

In another incident of violence in club rugby, this time in the Eastern Cape, a linesman punched a player after being spat on.

During a match between Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Progress in Port Elizabeth, linesman Eric Smith recommended that Progress prop Jacques Baartman be red-carded for punching.

Baartman proceeded to spit at the official, prompting Smith to punch him ‘instinctively’. A scuffle ensued between the two, leaving a shaken Smith with two black eyes and injuries to his nose and lips.

“I held out my flag and recommended to the referee that the player be shown a red card and sent off the field. After that, the player walked right up to me and spat into my face,” Smith told Die Burger.

“After the incident, I felt it would be better for me to go home. Some spectators followed me to my car. Had it not been for Progress officials who accompanied me I have no doubt that they would have caused me harm,” concluded the hapless official.