Stormers' URC title hopes take a hit as Bok Damian Willemse banned

Already facing the daunting task of travelling to take on reigning champions Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals on May 30, the Stormers have now learned that they will have to do it without Springbok Damian Willemse.

The double World Cup winner was red carded in the Stormers’ final game of the regular season last Friday for a high tackle on Gabriel Hamer-Webb as his side won 34-24 in Cape Town.

The 27-year-old faced a disciplinary panel this week, charged with contravening Law 9.11 – Player’s must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.

Following the hearing, it was determined that the tackle did warrant a red card, with a mid-range entry point, which carries a six-week ban.

The ban was halved, however, due to his good record, acceptance of foul play, remorse and good conduct.

There is a further boost for the Springbok though, as the ban can be reduced by a further week should he complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, colloquially known as ‘tackle school’.

A two-week ban would mean that Willemse would be available for the URC final, should the Stormers get there.

The challenges do not get harder for the Cape Town outfit though, as they must overcome Glasgow in Scotstoun before a likely trip to Dublin to face league-leaders Leinster to even be in with a chance of lifting their second URC title in three years. Their journey to the final will be all the harder without one of their star players.

A URC statement reads: “In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Jennifer Donovan), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Ms. Donovan found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting six weeks. The Player received three weeks (50%) mitigation due to his good record which results in a three game suspension.”