Prop Neethling Fouche will be unavailable for the remainder of the Stormers’ Vodacom URC league campaign after being handed a four-game suspension for foul play.
The 32-year-old scrum anchor was sent off for what was deemed a dangerous tackle on centre Ben Carson during a URC defeat by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium last week.
The URC issued a statement on Friday saying Fouche had breached a law relating to foul play – “a player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player”.
Fouche, who skippered the Stormers against Ulster in Belfast, will be suspended for the inaugural URC champions’ next four games at Cape Town Stadium once the competition resumes in two weeks’ time.
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He is unavailable to face Connacht (19 April), Benetton (26 April), Dragons (10 May) and Cardiff (16 May).
The tighthead prop escaped a six-game ban due to his “good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during” the disciplinary process, the URC said.
Should Fouche complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then his sanction will be reduced by a week. He and the Stormers have the right to appeal.
John Dobson’s men are currently in 10th place on the URC standing with 35 points – one behind the eighth-placed Edinburgh – in the race to the playoffs.
Photo: Ben McShane/Gallo Images
