South Africa lock Jannes Labuschagne, who was sent off during the Springboks' record 53-3 defeat by England last weekend, will miss the start of the Super 12 season after being suspended yesterday.

But his team-mate, full-back Werner Greeff, escaped censure after being cited for a high tackle during the same match.

Second row Labuschagne was red-carded by New Zealand referee Paddy O'Brien after 23 minutes for a late tackle on England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson during a fiery encounter at Twickenham on Saturday.

O'Brien later awarded England a penalty try after wing Phil Christophers was tackled high by Greeff, who was subsequently cited by independent French match commissioner Paul Mauriac.

But the three-man panel, made up of representatives from Wales, Scotland and Ireland which met at Heathrow Airport yesterday and set up a video link to Ellis Park, Johannesburg, decided not to take any action against Greeff.

Labuschagne has been supended for 23 days starting on February 21st, the start of the Super 12 season.

Newcastle have confirmed they will be without Wilkinson for "several weeks". Newcastle physio Martin Brewer discovered yesterday that Wilkinson, whose left arm has been in a sling since the match, had suffered tissue trauma to a shoulder joint.

Meanwhile, French international winger Aurelien Rougerie has opened up legal proceedings for the bad injury he received in a tackle by Wasps hooker Phil Greening.

Rougerie sustained a serious injury to his throat in a challenge with Greening during a pre-season friendly between Montferrand and Wasps in August. He subsequently underwent two operations and only resumed training this week.