Italian loosehead props Andrea Lovotti and Nicola Quaglio will both attend a disciplinary hearing for their involvement in a spear tackle on Springbok No. 8 Duane Vermeulen.
During the Springboks' 49-3 win over Italy in Shizuoka on Friday, Lovotti and Quaglio were both involved in a dangerous tackle which saw Vermuelen was lifted into the air, and driven headfirst into the ground.
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Referee Wayne Barens decided Lovotti was most at fault, sending him off a result. However, World Rugby has decided both players will face a disciplinary panel.
The two players will appear at a disciplinary hearing set to take place in Tokyo on Sunday before a three-man panel.
The news goes from bad to worse for Italian coach Conor O'Shea, who is facing a front-row crisis.
During the match, Italy lost Simone Ferrari (hamstring) and replacement Marco Riccioni (concussion) inside 18 minutes, which led to uncontested scrums.
Should he lose Lovotti and Quaglio as well for the October 12 meeting with the All Blacks, O'Shea will have to call in replacements with only Tiziano Pasquali and Tiziano Pasquali left in the squad.
O'Shea was scathing of the tackle post-match, describing it as "crass stupidity".
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