Cape Town -  Bulls lock Bakkies Botha has been suspended for four weeks for recklessly charging into a ruck during his team’s Super 14 match against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.

Bakkies Botha clears out Gio Aplon

Botha appeared before SANZAR Judicial Officer Peter Ingwersen at the offices of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union in Pretoria on Monday, having been cited under Law 10.4 (h) for dangerously and recklessly entering a ruck without using his arms or grasping a player.

Botha made contact with Stormers right wing Gio Aplon in the second minute of the match. Aplon required treatment on the field as a result.

Botha is suspended from all rugby for four weeks up to and including 12 June 2010. In arriving at the period of suspension, cognizance was given to, amongst other, Botha's record, the nature of the transgression and the meaningful playing consequence of the suspension i.e. the status of the matches the player will miss – the Bulls’ Super 14 semi-final this Saturday against the Crusaders in Soweto, a possible Super 14 final, as well as the Springboks’ first two Tests of the season, on 5 June against Wales in Cardiff and on 12 June against France in Cape Town.

Botha, who captained the Bulls in their Super 14 match against the Stormers at Newlands Stadium on Saturday, was represented by Gerrie Swart.

The Stormers won the match, 38-10.