South Africa's Bryan Habana was cleared of trying to deliberately kick France's Vincent Clerc at an International Rugby Board (IRB) disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

The decision means the Springbok wing is available to play for the world champions against Italy in Udinese on Saturday.

Habana was cited after television images appeared to show him kicking out at Clerc when his fellow wing was lying on the ground during last Friday's international in Toulouse, a match France won 20-13.

But the IRB's judicial officer for the match, Professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland, said he was unable to determine, upon the balance of probabilities, that the player had deliberately kicked Clerc.

A statement issued by the IRB added a detailed examination of the video clips showed France full-back Damien Traille gripping the lower leg of Habana, pulling Habana's leg towards him and the prostrate Clerc.

The Springboks, who play English Premiership side Saracens at Wembley on Tuesday, complete their European tour against Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin on November 28.

AFP

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook