Sale Sharks centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been fined £32,500 and suspended for two weeks after ‘signing playing contracts with two Premiership clubs’.

Van Rensburg was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game contrary to RFU Rule 5.12 for signing with both Gloucester Rugby and the Sale Sharks.

His fine amounts to over R750 000.

Sale were charged with breaches of RFU Regulation 7.5 (approaches to players) and registered agent Matthew was charged with breaching RFU Regulation 8.5.2 (Registered agents must at all times observe the highest standards of fair dealing).

The club, Van Rensburg and Ginvert accepted the charges and the following sanctions were given by the independent disciplinary panel:

• Van Rensburg was given a two week suspension, the dates of which will be confirmed when more details of the playing calendar are available, and a fine of £32,500, of which £25,000 shall be paid on by the RFU to Gloucester to reflect an advance of monies paid by Gloucester to Van Rensburg which has not been repaid.
• Sale Sharks were given a points deduction of 5 points suspended for two forthcoming seasons on terms that Sale does not act in breach of RFU Regulation 7 during that time and a fine of £20,000. The panel did not order compensation to be paid to Gloucester.
• Ginvert received a reprimand, a fine of £3,750 and was directed to undertake the agent’s education programme.