Independent Disciplinary Update: Pieter Scholtz Decision

Pieter Scholtz of the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars  has been suspended for three weeks due to the foul play during the match between Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars and YOKOHAMA CANON EAGLES held on 21 December 2025.

This is to inform that the sanction for Scholtz was reduced to two weeks as a result of Coaching Intervention as part of Head Contact Process that has been submitted to World Rugby from the club.

■ Updated decision

Sanctions: 2 week (match) Suspension (Rd 3-4)

■ The decision before change (As of 25 December)

Player: Pieter Scholtz 

Team: Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars 

Date of Incident: 21 December 2025

Nature of Offence:  

Law 9.20 (b)  – A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.

Sanctions: 3 weeks (matches) Suspension (Round 3-5)

The Act: The act whereby the player's right shoulder made direct contact with the left side of Yokohama E No. 20's head during the ruck, resulting in head contact.

Elapsed time in match when incident occurred: 26:00 into the 2nd half

【References】
JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE “Official Match Guidelines 2025-26” (JP only)

https://league-one.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/file/menu/17338_693ba388aee09.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