Neethling Fouché Stormers tighthead prop Neethling Fouché received a red card for a dangerous tackle against Ulster in Belfast. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
The Stormers’ United Rugby Championship playoff hopes are already in dire straits, and now they have received yet another blow with the suspension of prop Neethling Fouché.
The URC announced late on Friday night that the 32-year-old front-rower has been banned for four matches for his dangerous tackle against Ulster in the 38-34 defeat in Belfast last week Friday.
Fouché was desperately unlucky to receive a red card on the night by referee Andrea Piardi, as he was on his knees in an attempt to tackle Ulster centre Ben Carson in the 45th minute.
The referee and TMO deliberated and felt that Fouché did not wrap his arms around Carson in the tackle, and his right shoulder made contact with the Ulster player’s head.
Stormers lock Connor Evans was involved in the tackle before Fouché, though, and Carson had also dropped his head lower just before making contact with the two tacklers.
So, it looked like a rugby incident that maybe only warranted a yellow card, but Piardi felt differently, stating that Fouché had been “always illegal”, and dished out a straight red.
The URC panel dealing with the disciplinary process felt the same way, and now Fouché is set to miss the rest of the league campaign.
“After an act of foul play by Stormers player No 3 Neethling Fouché, referee Andrea Piardi showed the player 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,” the statement read.
“The panel overseeing the disciplinary process 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 to four games (33% mitigation) due to the player’s good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during the hearing, which results in a four-game suspension.
“Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, then the sanction will be reduced by one week.”
So, at the moment, Fouché will miss the Stormers’ four remaining URC games, which are all in Cape Town – against Connacht on April 19 (4pm kick-off), Benetton on April 26 (6.15pm), Dragons on May 10 (6.15pm) and Cardiff on May 16 (7pm).
Fouché could return for the Cardiff game if he completes the ‘tackle school’.
The Stormers are currently in 10th position on the URC log on 35 points, and are in a dog-fight with five teams above them for a quarter-final spot and Champions Cup qualification – Munster (fifth, 39 points), Ulster (sixth, 37), Benetton (seventh, 36), Edinburgh (eighth, 36) and Cardiff (ninth, 36).
But one wonders whether coach John Dobson and the Stormers will choose to appeal the sanction, as Fouché was down on both knees in trying to get low and make a legal tackle.
Fouché is a popular and key figure in the Stormers pack, especially as Springbok Frans Malherbe has to be managed ahead of the Test season, and his absence would result in the likes of Sazi Sandi and Brok Harris having to step in at tighthead prop.