21 October 2026
DHL Stormers hooker JJ Kotze has been suspended for three matches following an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing today. The hooker was cited for foul play after receiving a red card during Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears.
The incident occurred in the 33rd minute of the Round 1 clash at DHL Stadium. Referee Kevin Bralley sent the hooker off for executing a dangerous tackle on Bristol scrum-half Kieran Marmion. The match official deemed the challenge a direct contravention of Law 9.13, which strictly governs illegal and dangerous contact.
While the Stormers initially contested the Foul Play Review Committee's initial assessment, the independent judicial panel upheld the red card on video conference. The panel, chaired by Daniel Gore alongside Bogdan Zebega and Chris Morgan, determined the collision warranted a mid-range entry point of six weeks.
Mitigating factors significantly reduced the final sentence for the Cape Town franchise. "The independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the player was guilty of a dangerous tackle and upheld the red card," the judicial statement confirmed. "Taking into account the player’s acceptance that he had committed an act of foul play, his clear disciplinary record and his good conduct during the hearing, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a three-week suspension."
Due to the international window, Kotze will be free to play again on Monday, 7 December. However, if he applies for and completes the World Rugby Coaching intervention programme, he will be free to play on Monday, 2 November. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.