SA Prop Mujati faces lengthy ban from rugby

Former Springbok prop Brian Mujati could face a lenthy ban after shoving referee Nigel Owens in the back in Friday’s Heineken Cup  match between his side Northampton Saints and Perpignan.

The Saints were reportedly stunned by Monday’s citing, saying that no complaint had been made after the match.

They were reviewing the tape of the game to see what the tighthead prop had been accused of. Mujati, who has 12 caps for the Springboks, joined Northampton in the off-season from the Stormers.

Under IRB regulations he faces a minimum 24-week suspension if he is found guilty with a life ban the maximum punishment available for the disciplinary committee.

Neil Back received a six-month ban for shoving referee Steve Lander in 1996.

Springbok fullback Percy Montgomery was banned for two years, 18 months of which were suspended, for pushing a touch judge to the ground while playing for Newport at Swansea in 2003.