No justice for Fouche, Stormers

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouche’s controversial four-game ban stands, after a Vodacom URC disciplinary panel dismissed an appeal by the Stormers.

The scrum anchor was sent off for what was deemed a dangerous tackle on centre Ben Carson during a URC defeat by Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in round 14 of the competition.

Referee Andrea Piardi reached for his pocket following the TMO’s intervention – a frame-by-frame analysis that exaggerated the head contact – overlooking the impossibility of the requirement for Fouche to wrap his right arm around Carson who was head down and in the grasp of lock Conor Evans.

A disciplinary process last week found him guilty of foul play and imposed the hefty suspension.

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This week, the Stormers leadership challenged Fouche’s conviction after a disciplinary panel unanimously punished the player, who has an otherwise exemplary record – just one technical yellow card in 77 matches across four seasons of the URC.

“An appeal panel upheld the original disciplinary panel decision,” stated the URC on Thursday.

Fouche will miss the remainder of the Stormers’ URC league campaign, yet his sanction will be reduced by a week should the 32-year-old complete a World Rugby coaching intervention programme. 

The league’s final decision on Fouche follows Alex Nankivell being cleared to face Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday, after a successful Munster appeal against his red card at Connacht.

Nankivell had a two-match suspension overturned by a new independent disciplinary panel. He was forced to sit out last week’s Investec Champions Cup round of 16 win at La Rochelle.

Here’s why Neethling Fouché received his red card in Belfast last night 🎥🔴#VURC pic.twitter.com/8bzJyJOQtX

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 29, 2025

Photo: Ben McShane/Gallo Images