The Central Gauteng Lions have launched an internal inquiry after Beyers Swanepoel left the field during Sunday’s One-Day Cup final to catch a flight to England.
Swanepoel walked off in the 43rd over after completing his 10-over spell, leaving the Lions to finish the match against the Northerns Titans with only 10 players after umpires refused a substitute fielder.
The Titans went on to win by three wickets with a ball to spare.
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Lions CEO Jono Leaf-Wright told TimesLIVE the union would investigate the incident.
“I’m just extremely disappointed with Beyers. This is not the kind of conduct we as the Lions expect from our players. He has let down his teammates and the union,” he said.
Leaf-Wright added that he was unaware of Swanepoel’s early departure until after the match.
It is understood Swanepoel’s teammates were also in the dark, with many – including captain Bjorn Fortuin – believing he had left the field due to injury. Fortuin was involved in discussions with match officials about allowing a substitute, but the request was denied.
Reports suggest the Lions coaching staff only learned on the morning of the match that Swanepoel would be leaving for England, but were under the impression he would depart later in the evening.
Swanepoel, who joined the Lions this season from Eastern Province, is contracted to Worcestershire in England.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
