Bulls and Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has been banned for four weeks after recklessly charging into a ruck during a Super 14 match last weekend, a statement said on Tuesday.

The suspension covers the Bulls' semi-final against the Crusaders of New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday, possibly the May 29 final, and Tests against Wales in Cardiff on June 5 and France in Cape Town the following weekend.

Botha is a giant 'enforcer' who returned to action only three weeks ago after a long injury lay-off and no stranger to disciplinary hearings with several suspensions in previous seasons.

Captaining a virtual Bulls B team at Western Stormers last Saturday, he hit an early ruck without using his arms or grasping a player and slightly built home wing Gio Aplon was treated for several minutes before continuing.

Botha was cited after the Stormers triumphed 38-10 to seal second place behind defending champions Bulls, giving both South African franchises home semi-finals with the Cape team facing New South Wales Waratahs of Australia.

Experienced Springbok Danie Rossouw, a utility forward who recently marked his 100th Super appearance, is the likely replacement for Botha in the Bulls line-up against Crusaders.

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