Stormers hooker loses dangerous tackle appeal, but there’s a silver lining
by KickOff Rugby · KickOffStormers hooker JJ Kotze has lost his appeal against a red card for a dangerous tackle in the franchise’s win over Bristol Bears on Saturday, but there is a potential route for him to return to action earlier than expected.
Kotze was shown a 20-minute red card for head-to-head contact while tackling Bristol scrumhalf Kieran Marmion in the first half.
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The Stormers appealed the initial decision, but late on Wednesday, a second panel upheld the red card and the sanction imposed on Kotze under World Rugby Law 9.13, which covers dangerous tackles.
"The independent disciplinary committee determined that the player was guilty of a dangerous tackle and upheld the red card. Taking into account the player's acceptance that he had committed an act of foul play, his clear disciplinary record and good conduct during the hearing, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by a maximum of 50% before imposing the three-week sanction,” a statement from the EPCR read following the decision.
Kotze will be eligible to return to play on 7 December. However, if he completes a World Rugby coaching intervention programme, his return date could be brought forward to 2 November.