Stormers contest three-match ban for hooker JJ Kotze after Champions Cup red card

DHL Stormers are disputing the three-match ban imposed on hooker JJ Kotze following his red card in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, with a disciplinary hearing now set for Wednesday.

Kotze was dismissed by French referee Kevin Bralley in the 33rd minute of the Stormers’ Pool 3 clash against Bristol Bears for a dangerous, head-on-head tackle on scrum-half Kieran Marmion, in contravention of Law 9.13. The Foul Play Review Committee ruled the offence warranted a three-match suspension, a sanction the South African franchise has declined to accept.

The red card did little to derail the Stormers on the day. They ran out 49-12 winners over Bristol, with Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converting all seven of their tries. Jonathan Roche and Leolin Zas each crossed twice, with Roche reportedly attracting interest from Irish clubs.

Elsewhere in the disciplinary fallout from the opening round, Toulouse prop Rodrigue Neti has accepted his own three-match ban after receiving a red card in the 15th minute of Les Rouge et Noir’s 43-40 home victory over Exeter Chiefs. Referee Hollie Davidson sent Neti off for a dangerous tackle on Chiefs back-rower Ross Vintcent.

Neti will be eligible to return on 9 November, though that date could be brought forward by a week if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching intervention programme.