JJ Kotzé has been handed a suspension that will rule the Stormers front-row forward out until after the November international break.
An independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday heard the hooker’s case and handed him a three-week suspension for his 20-minute red card in the Investec Champions Cup match against Bristol Bears last week.
Referee Kevin Bralley sent Kotzé off in the 33rd minute for a dangerous tackle on scrumhalf Kieran Marmion. A foul play review committee had already recommended three weeks, but the Stormers did not accept it.
The club’s case rested on the red card and director of rugby John Dobson said before the hearing that “if our view is it’s not a red card, we’d like them to decide that for us”.
ALSO: ‘Markus is going to be a very good 12’
Kotzé accepted he had committed foul play but not that it warranted a red card.
The committee upheld the red card and rated the offence mid-range, with six weeks as the entry point. It then cut the sanction by the maximum 50%, taking into account Kotzé’s disciplinary record and good conduct at the hearing.
Because of the international window, Kotzé can play again on Monday, 7 December. The 25-year-old can return on Monday, 2 November if he applies for and completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme. Both Kotzé and EPCR may appeal.
The Stormers host the Scarlets in the URC at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday and Ulster next week.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Stormers hooker learns his fate appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
JJ Kotzé has been handed a suspension that will rule the Stormers front-row forward out until after the November international break.
The post Stormers hooker learns his fate appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
