Australian flank Rocky Elsom has appealed against his one-match suspension, following his citing for an incident in last Saturday's Tri-Nations Test between Australia and South Africa in Durban.

A South African, New Zealand and Australian Unions (Sanzar) judicial hearing found him guilty of pulling down and subsequently injuring South African lock Victor Matfield in a line-out during the Wallabies 27-15 victory at Absa Stadium, and suspended him from all rugby until Monday, 1 September.

CJ van der Linde by contrast was delivered a four-week suspension by the Sanzar judicial committee, after it was found that the Springbok prop made an 'illegal' attempt at clearing out a ruck (with his head), carrying a risk to Australian scrumhalf Sam Cordingley.

Elsom will thus miss this weekend's return Tri-Nations Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, but will be available for selection in Australia's Tri-Nations finalé against New Zealand in Brisbane on 13 September.

Elsom's appeal will be heard by telephonic conference on Thursday.

The time and composition of the Sanzar Judicial Panel will be advised in due course.

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