Coastal Sharks star Francois Steyn was cleared of dangerous play Monday after being sent off in a weekend Super 15 match.
The South Africa centre got a first-half red card in Durban after fly-half Aaron Cruden from New Zealand team Waikato Chiefs was flung to the ground by three Sharks.
But a judicial committee representing the organisers of the southern hemisphere inter-provincial championship cleared Steyn and ordered the cancellation of his red card.
The sending off followed lengthy discussions between Australian referee Angus Gardner, one of his assistants (who favoured a red card) and the television match official (who wanted a yellow card).
Three players were ordered off during the first half of a match won 12-11 by the Sharks with the other two offenders pleading guilty and sentenced Sunday.
Sharks skipper Bismarck du Plessis was banned for four Super 15 matches and rival hooker Hikawera Elliot for one.
Allegations of foul play by Chiefs skipper and flanker Liam Messam will be investigated Tuesday.
Source: AFP
