Esterhuizen's early dismissal left his side down at 14 men for more than an hour of the game and he was found guilty at a disciplinary hearing on Monday of a reckless challenge that "placed the opposing player in an extremely dangerous position".
The 23-year-old Esterhuizen was similarly suspended two years ago but what would have been an 11-week ban this time round was reduced to six due to a guilty plea, an on-field apology to the Rebels wing Sefa Naivalu and his conduct in the judicial process, said a Sanzaar statement.
