Dupont appealing ban that was longer than Du Toit's sentence

France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has appealed his ban for an aerial challenge on Springboks fullback Cheslin Kolbe, lodging a notice to appeal at a judicial hearing.

Dupont was red carded for an aerial contest gone wrong in the 47th minute of France’s 30-26 win over South Africa two weeks ago.

It was deemed to be foul play under law 9.17 where a player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.

The former World Rugby Player of the Year took Kolbe’s legs out whilst he was in the air, but the collision was seemingly unsighted as the No 9 was tracking the ball.

He was handed a four week suspension for the foul play last week but has appealed the length after receiving a longer sentence than Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit for a dangerous cleanout in the same game.

Du Toit was given a three week ban for his reckless clean out which saw his head smash into midfielder Jonathan Danty’s face at a ruck.

The Springboks No 7 was red carded for the incident but the committee downgraded the charge from six weeks to three and lowered the grade to ‘reckless’ rather than one of intentional nature.

Dupont’s hearing is set for Monday the 28th of November.