After a three-hour hearing, in front of Sanzar judicial officer Kim Garling, of Australia, du Plessis (24) emerged from Carisbrook with the South African manager of national teams, Andy Marinos. Both Marinos and du Plessis made no comment to waiting media.
Sharks hooker du Plessis started his 14th test at Carisbrook on Saturday and had a fiery game around the paddock.
The rest of the Springboks left Dunedin for Perth yesterday morning, though du Plessis' destination was unclear last night. I
It was the second match in a row where a player has been cited.
All Black lock Brad Thorn sat out Saturday's match after receiving a one-week suspension for lifting Springbok hooker John Smit.
Du Plessis was cited by commissioner Dick Byres for contact with the eyes or eye area of Thomson in the 11th minute of the first half.
At the hearing, Garling viewed video footage of the incident, heard evidence from du Plessis and received reports from referee Matt Goddard and assistant referees.
Du Plessis was represented by legal counsel Robin Bates.
In a media statement released after the hearing, du Plessis acknowledged his fist had come into contact with Thomson's lower cheek and then, as it rolled across his face, his left-hand knuckle appeared to come into contact with the face near the eye area but did not come into contact with his eye.
Bates submitted the contact was momentary and had come about through a series of factors, and said the contact, while careless, was not deliberate.
Du Plessis was banned from playing up to August 3.
