Blues flanker Luke Braid has been suspended for three weeks for striking Stormers player Nizaam Carr during their match in Cape Town.

Braid will miss games against the Hurricanes and Reds but the second week of the ban includes a bye for the Blues.

Braid pleaded guilty to striking Carr, which reduced his ban from five to three weeks.

SANZAR duty judicial officer Mike Heron said footage showed Braid striking Carr, who was on the ground, with his forearm to the back of the neck and then a part-open hand to the head.

Braid accepted the conduct was intentional, but said he was frustrated with the Stormers player because he thought he was infringing at a critical time and place in the match.