Wallaby winger Wendell Sailor has admitted his latest drinking episode in South Africa could have ended his career.

Sailor, 31, was fined $4000 and banned for three Super 14 matches after being sent home for pushing a man to the ground and being sick outside a Cape Town nightclub.

The dual international said he was disappointed at the penalty but added: "It could be worse. You could have your contracts ripped up, and that impacts on your family.

"In the back of my mind, when your wife and your family ... you look at them and you realise it's not just about yourself anymore. It's about your family and obviously the people who are around you."

Sailor, 31, has already served one match of his ban and will miss the Waratahs' next two home games against the Sharks and the Cats, returning for the game against Western Force in Perth on March 18.

His fine includes a $500 fine already imposed by the Waratahs.

The Code of Conduct panel took no further action on a similar incident when Sailor was on national duty in South Africa last July.

A two-match Wallaby ban imposed on him then remains suspended and he is eligible for Australia's next international against England in Sydney on June 11, though on form might struggle to make the team.

The Australian Rugby Union and the NSWRU endorsed the penalty imposed after a 3-1/2-hour hearing.

"Australian rugby and our supporters expect their players to represent themselves, their team and their country in a manner befitting an international player," said ARU chief executive Gary Flowers.

"It is unfortunate that we have had to resort to such a measure, but in this instance we were left with no choice."

The panel, chaired by independent lawyer Lindsay Foster, SC, accepted Sailor's contrition but also took into account his past record, which is far from spotless.

Sailor denied he had a drinking problem and was not considering giving up alcohol.

"I'm a social drinker and I don't think I'm a bloke who goes on two or three-day benders. If that was the case then maybe I would," he said.

But he said he was disappointed at his own behaviour and had learned his lesson.

"Certainly I'm feeling it at the moment," he said.

"We have a responsibility in society today that we can't go around and do what I did in South Africa.

"I put myself in the situation and therefore I think the standard's been set.

"It's probably a big learning curve for a lot of players, but especially myself.

"I certainly put a slur (on the Waratahs).

"I came through an era when ... drinking was part of the game ... but at the Waratahs it hasn't been a part of that culture.

"I hope I haven't slurred that culture, because the young guys and the guys like [coach] Ewen McKenzie have made the culture what it is at the moment.

"A couple of hours of silly drinking, hopefully the fans don't hold that against the team.

"That was my fault and obviously I've got a long couple of months to make that up to them."

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