Following an appeal, DHL Stormers Neethling Fouché will miss four games after an Appeal Panel upheld the original Disciplinary Panel decision.
In the Round 14 Vodacom URC Ulster v DHL Stormers game (Friday, March 28) the referee Andrea Piardi showed the Player (Neethling Fouché, No. 3) a Red Card in the 45th minute of the game under Law 9.16 - A Player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.
On Monday, March 31, a Disciplinary Panel consisting of Declan Goodwin (Chair), Janet Gedrych and Chris Morgan (all Wales) found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting a six-game suspension. The Panel reduced the suspension (33% mitigation) due to the Player's good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during the hearing, which resulted in a four-game suspension.
The Player exercised his right to appeal. An Appeal Panel consisting of Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (Chair, Scotland), David Martin (Ireland) & Robert Milligan KC (Scotland) met today, April 10, to review. The appeal was not upheld and the original Disciplinary Panel sanction remains.
Fixtures Neethling Fouché in unavailable for:
DHL Stormers v Connacht, 19 April 2025, Vodacom URC
DHL Stormers v Benetton, 26 April 2025, Vodacom URC
DHL Stormers v Dragons RFC, 10 May 2025, Vodacom URC
**DHL Stormers v Cardiff Rugby, 16 May 2025, Vodacom URC
**Should the Player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, then the sanction will be reduced by one week.