Independent Disciplinary Update: Walt Steenkamp (SAGAMIHARA DB) 

An appeal was lodged by the team for the disciplinary decision on Walt Steenkamp of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars for the match between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars and TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO held on 3 May 2025. 

This is to inform that in accordance with Article 34 (Judicial and Citing) of the JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE ‘Official Match Guidelines 2024-25’ and the Japan Rugby Football Union ‘Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play’, the Appeal Committee conducted a hearing with the player and reassessed the decision made on 7 May and arrives to a new conclusion.

■ Updated decision

Sanctions: 1 week (match) Suspension (Rd 18)

■ The decision before change (As of 7 May)

Player: Walt Steenkamp 

Team: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars 

Date of Incident: 3 May 2025

Nature of Offence: 

YC①② Law 9.13 －A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

 YC③ Law 9.20(a)－Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.

(a) A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

Sanctions: 2 weeks (matches) Suspension (2024-25 Rd18 and 2025-26 Rd 1)

The Act and Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 

　　   YC① The player made a high tackle to the victim player (No. 14 of URAYASU DR) [vs URAYASU DR 22 Dec 27:00]

           YC② The player made a high tackle to the victim player (No.17 of YOKOHAMA E) [vs YOKOHAMA E 18 Jan 25:00 into the 2nd half] 

           YC③ The player made a dangerous cleanout to the victim player(No.9 of BL TOKYO) [vs BL TOKYO 3 May 03:00 into the 2nd half]

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2024-25” (JP only)
https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/11248_6724a704ea4a2.pdf
Japan Rugby Football Union “Regulation of Sanctions for Foul Play” (JP only)
https://rugby-japan.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/html/169467_6560879583b90.pdf
World Rugby　Regulation17 DISCIPLINE - FOUL PLAY
https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/regulations/reg-17