Highlanders reserve hooker Brayden Mitchell has been banned for three weeks after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle during his team’s 29-28 Super Rugby loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

Mitchell was shown a yellow card for the lifting tackle on Stormers fullback Jaco Taute in the 66th minute, three minutes after he had entered the game on Sunday morning (NZT).

Mitchell pleaded guilty to the charge, and has been suspended for three weeks, up to and including May 24.

He will be available for the Highlanders match against the Reds in Brisbane on May 30.

Reds prop James Slipper, who received a similar citing over a tackle on Blues loose forward Peter Saili, has also received a three-week ban.