Paulse will not be playing against the kiwi's

Perth - Springbok wing Breyton Paulse was banned for three weeks on Sunday for kicking an opponent during South Africa's 22-19 Tri-Nations rugby Test win over Australia.

A tribunal found Paulse guilty of kicking Australian prop Al Baxter with minutes left in the match at Subiaco Oval in Perth. Baxter suffered a facial graze, the tribunal heard.

Paulse was cited by the independent citing commissioner. The incident was not seen by the referee or the touch judges but was caught by television match coverage.

Paulse told the judicial committee he had lashed out at Baxter, but did so due to frustration at being held illegally and without any intention to inflict injury.

He said the contact was to the shoulder or upper neck area, but Baxter claimed the kick struck him just below his right eye.

Paulse will not be eligible to play for the Springboks in their potentially title-deciding match against New Zealand in Dunedin next weekend.