Damian Willemse hit with URC ban, but it is not doom and gloom for Stormers ahead of Glasgow quarter-final

The Stormers will be disappointed that Damian Willemse has been handed a three-match ban by a United Rugby Championship disciplinary panel, despite the Springbok entering what amounted to a plea bargain.

Willemse’s role in the URC is possibly over as his ban starts with next week’s quarter-final against Glasgow, and would include a potential semi-final.

The 27-year-old could play in a possible final if he attends “tackle school,” which would lop one of the games off his suspension.

Willemse was red-carded in the Stormers’ defeat of Cardiff last Friday, and while there was no debate that contact was made with the head of wing Gabe Hamer-Webb, there appeared to be mitigating circumstances.

As Stormers coach John Dobson put it, “Damian was stuck (in a gang tackle), and was trying to turn away”.

The Stormers felt they had a good case ,and Willemse pleaded guilty before the hearing in the hope of being let off any suspension.

However, a statement from the hearing said: “The incident met the red card threshold, which has a minimum ban of six weeks. This has been reduced by 50 percent due to the player’s good record. This results in a three-game suspension.

“Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme (tackle school) then the sanction will be reduced by one week,” the statement continued.

Both sides had players red-carded in the game.

Cardiff prop Danny Southworth was sent off for a high tackle on Neethling Fouche in the 29th minute, before Willemse was shown red in the 58th minute for his high tackle of Hamer-Webb.

Dobson said in the aftermath of the game that Willemse’s red card was “a disaster”, but it is hardly so because the Stormers are well-stocked with brilliant backs.

It is likely that Warrick Gelant will return at fullback in a straight swap with Willemse for the trip to Glasgow.

Dobson could also play Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at No 15 should he want to continue with Manie Libbok at flyhalf. while Feinberg-Mngomezulu could slot in at inside centre as well.

If the Stormers lose to the Warriors, Willemse’s effective two-match suspension would mean he could not play in the Springboks’ non-cap game against the Barbarians on June 28.

This is hardly a train smash, as Rassie Erasmus is likely to field an experimental team in that match anyway.

Willemse is attending the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town this week, where Erasmus can plan his introduction to the international scene this year, with the opening Test against Italy taking place on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.