The DHL Stormers' second row, Adre Smith (No 19), was shown a red card during his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round 1 match against Aviron Bayonnais at Stade Jean Dauger on Friday, 5 December.
Smith was sent off by the referee, Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), in the 53rd minute of the match for stamping on the Aviron Bayonnais prop, Swan Cormenier (No 17), in contravention of Law 9.12.
Law 9.12 A player must not stamp on an opponent
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12, stamping or trampling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range: 6 weeks/matches; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks/matches
Benjamin Rutherford (Ireland, Chair), Bogdan Zebega (Romania), and Chris Morgan (Wales) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing, which was held by video conference on Monday, 7 December. The verdict is expected on 08 December 2025.