Champions Cup: Stormers lock cops one week ban for stamping

Just minutes after coming off the bench, the lock was sent off for stamping. A Bayonne player was on the ground after a collapsed maul and caught Smith's boot. On Tuesday, an Independent Disciplinary Committee handed down judgment.

"Smith accepted that he had committed a reckless act, but he did not accept that it warranted a red card," it read in part.

"The independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the player was guilty of a deliberate stamp on the player on the ground and it upheld the red card. It was then decided that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby's sanctions, and two weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

"Taking into account the player's good disciplinary record and the fact that he accepted he had committed an act of foul play, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a one-week suspension.

"Smith is free to play again on Monday, December 15. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision."

Smith will miss this weekend's blockbuster Champions Cup clash against two-time winners La Rochelle in Cape Town. 

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