Stormers appeal Investec Champions Cup ban decision

DHL Stormers are disputing the three-match ban handed to hooker JJ Kotze for the 20-minute red card he received against Bristol in the opening round of the Champions Cup.

Kotze was sent off by French referee Kevin Bralley in the 33rd minute of the match for a dangerous, head-on-head tackle on Bears scrum-half, Kieran Marmion, which contravened Law 9.13.

Despite the loss of Kotze, the Stormers opened their campaign with a thumping 49-12 win over their callow opponents, Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converting all seven of their tries, which included braces for reported Irish target Jonathan Roche and Leolin Zas.

The Foul Play Review Committee determined that Kotze’s indiscretion warranted a three-match ban, but that sanction was not accepted by the Pool 3 leaders and a disciplinary hearing will now take place on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Toulouse have accepted the three-match ban issued to prop Rodrigue Neti for the red card he received in the 15th minute of Les Rouge et Noir’s 43-40 win at home to Exeter Chiefs.

Neti was given his marching orders by referee Hollie Davidson for a dangerous tackle on Chiefs back-rower Ross Vintcent.

He will be free to play agaion on 9 November but that date will be brought forward by a week if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching intervention programme.