Rugby World Cup star gets six-match ban after tackle sent rival to hospital

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Namibia captain Johan Deysel has been handed a six-match ban, which could be reduced to five, for his head-to-head tackle with France star Antoine Dupont that sent the fly-half to the hospital for surgery following a fractured cheekbone. Deysel attended a hearing where his fate was determined, effectively ending his Rugby World Cup.

Namibia, having lost to Italy, New Zealand and France, have just Uruguay to left and are unable to reach the next round – though will be without their influential captain for their final game after World Rugby confirmed his six-match ban.

After being sent off for his collision with Dupont, Deysel was sent abuse on social media which led to him locking his accounts and posting an apology to the French captain. “I would like to extend my best wishes to Antoine Dupont,” he said. “Clearly, I meant no harm.

“Everything happened very quickly and I couldn’t get my head out of the way quick enough, resulting in a head clash. I know the rules and immediately knew that I was at fault. I spoke with Fabien Galthie (France head coach) immediately after the match and sent my best wishes and apologies to Antoine, both personally and via the France team doctor.”

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Deysel will likely get his ban reduced from six to five matches, however, having indicated his intent to take part in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme. The intervention helps players realise their errors and teaches them better tackling technique.

A World Rugby statement read: “Namibia’s Johan Deysel attended an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing for an offence contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) as a result of a review by the Foul Play Review Official in Namibia’s Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool A match against France on 21 September.

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“The player accepted that foul play had occurred and that the offence warranted a red card.

“Having considered all the available evidence, the submissions by the player and his representative, the independent Committee categorised the act of foul play as being at the top end of the scale of seriousness of offending, having regard to the degree of recklessness involved in the offending, the vulnerability of the victim player and the significant injury to him. Applying Appendix 1 to Regulation 17, the independent Committee determined that the applicable entry point is 12 matches.

“Having considered the mitigating factors, including admission of foul play and correctness of the red card at the first opportunity, his disciplinary record and apology to the player, the independent Committee reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent.”

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