Amateur video footage captured during a South African Rugby U19 Championship match in Despatch, which took place over the weekend, shows a shocking punch-up between two players.

The junior match between Western Province (WP) and Eastern Province (EP) descended into chaos following an on-field altercation involving two backline players.

Violence erupts during SA Rugby U19 Championship match

WP right-wing Christian Ambadiang had made a clean break for the try line but was reeled in and tackled by EP fullback Dylan le Roux. While the tackle was fair, both players became entangled and tension between the two reached a boiling point.

A clearly frustrated Ambadiang first pushed Le Roux. The EP fullback then retaliated by punching Ambadiang in the face. At this point, players from both teams abandoned play and rushed into the melee.

The teams eventually managed to pull both players apart. After conferring with his assistants, the match referee proceeded to hand both players red cards, thereby removing them from the game. As both players walked off the field, the violence erupted once more.

This time, a clearly fired up Ambadiang kicks things off again by strong-arming and eventually head-butting Le Roux, who replies by hitting the WP wing in the face. Again, players from both teams rush in to separate the two.

Ugly scenes from WP U19’s 47-18 win over EP U19’s in PE this past weekend. pic.twitter.com/zdIUV2y57x — Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) October 1, 2018

Western Province promises action against Ambadiang

Although WP went on to win the match 47-18, the rugby union has promised to take action against Ambadiang, noting that violence displayed on the field ruined an otherwise pleasant sporting encounter. Speaking to Netwerk24, a spokesperson for WP rugby union said:

“We’ll follow the correct procedures. As the match falls under the auspices of the SA Rugby Union, there is a disciplinary process that WP and the player will follow. We take foul play and violent behaviour very seriously and an internal disciplinary process will also take place at WP.”

As reported by Sport24, EP Rugby president Andre Rademan described the incident as appalling, noting that the union does not condone violence. He also welcomed WP’s investigation into the matter.