Former Bulls coach Pote Human handed lengthy ban for shocking slap – WATCH

Human, who is now working in the United States, sparked an on-field brawl after slapping an opposition coach in a shocking incident that made headline across the globe.

The extraordinary video clip from a Major League Rugby clash showed Human charging onto the field and getting into a fight with a counterpart from the opposite team.

A six-week suspension has now been handed down after an investigation, and the next game he will be eligible to be on the sidelines for is only on 18 June. A monetary fine and community service is also included in the ruling that can be seen below.

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In a statement issued late on Monday, Major League Rugby said an investigation was going to determine the necessary disciplinary steps to be taken.

“The league office is investigating an incident that took place on the sideline during the match between New York and Houston on April 23rd, 2023. Upon completion of the investigation, the league will take any necessary action in line with our competition and behavior regulations,” the statement read.

YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEO CLIP OF HUMAN BELOW:

Pote Human the Houston SaberCats Head Coach clearly angry about something. SaberCats beat Rugby NY 34 – 27 pic.twitter.com/DYx8AhmCuj

— Adrian Slabbert (@adrian_slabbert) April 23, 2023

Human, who coaches the Houston Sabercats, was apparently incensed by the New York high-performance coach’s berating of Houston’s players during a water break.

The former Blue Bulls coach stormed onto the field before slapping the opposition coach, who responded by throwing a punch of his own as a brawl broke out, eventually leading to both being ejected from the game.

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THE 63-YEAR-OLD IS AN EXPERIENCED COACH

Human coached extensively in South Africa for the better part of two decades before joining Heyneke Meyer at American Major League outfit Houston SaberCats in 2021.

Among other jobs, Human had a previous stint at the Blue Bulls (2005-2008) and coached the Griffons (1996-1997) and Griquas (2012-2013), while there was also a tenure in Japan as forwards coach of the Ricoh Black Rams between 2008-2010.

Most notably, though, he was the Bulls’ head coach in 2019-2020 and had been involved in the Pretoria union’s structures since 2013 where he also coached Tuks and the Blue Bulls’ under-21 team.

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However, in 2021 it was confirmed that he’d be heading overseas to work in the US with former Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“Heyneke gave me a chance in 2005 to get involved in coaching full-time at the Bulls when I was still working for (sales co-operative) Samba. I owe him a lot and still believe he is one of the best coaches in the world. I’m looking forward to the opportunity, even though the USA is far from home,” Human told Rapport newspaper when he made the move.

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The league office is investigating an incident that took place on the sideline during the match between New York and Houston on April 23rd, 2023. Upon completion of the investigation, the league will take any necessary action in line with our competition and behavior regulations. pic.twitter.com/Mlw4SWOTe9

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) April 24, 2023