South African eye-gouger slapped with lengthy ban

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors’ South African loose forward Henco Venter has been informed of the outcome of his disciplinary hearing.

The Warriors No.8, Venter, has been suspended for six weeks, following the decision of a disciplinary committee.

The ban arose from Glasgow’s Champions Cup Round of 16 win (43-19) over Leicester Tigers at Scotstoun Stadium on last Saturday.

Venter was cited by the match citing commissioner, Adrien Menez (France), for making contact with the eye of the Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole in the 2nd minute of the match, in contravention of Law 9.12.

The disciplinary committee – comprising Richard Whittam (England, Chairman), Ken Owens (Wales), and Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) – heard the case by video conference on Tuesday.

Venter accepted he had committed an act of foul play, and that it would have warranted a red card, but that it was not intentional.

The committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee determined that Venter had made reckless contact with the eye, in contravention of Law 9.12, and accordingly upheld the citing.

It was decided that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions, and 12 weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

Taking into account the player’s timely acceptance that he had committed an act of foul play that would have warranted a red card, his expression of remorse, clean disciplinary record and good conduct and full participation in the disciplinary hearing, the independent disciplinary committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent before imposing a six-week suspension.

The precise matches to which the sanction applies is subject to confirmation of the team’s upcoming fixture list.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

* (Article continues below …)

In non-parachute news, understand that Leicester have lodged a complaint to the citing commissioner over an alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole by Glasgow’s Henco Venter. https://t.co/R4uBlyRjTz pic.twitter.com/4dnvwFJUq0

— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) April 6, 2025

* Meanwhile, Castres Olympique centre Adrien Seguret has been suspended for three weeks following the decision of an independent disciplinary committee.

Seguret was shown a red card during his club’s Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Benetton Rugby at Stade Pierre Fabre on Saturday, 5 April.

Seguret was sent off by the referee, Karl Dickson (England), in the 43rd minute of the match for tackling the Benetton flyhalf Tomas Albornoz in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.

The disciplinary committee – comprising Mark Curran (Ireland, Chairman), Simon Thomas (Wales) and Jonathan Rennie (Scotland) – heard the case via video conference on Monday.

Seguret accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which would have warranted a red card and the independent disciplinary committee decided the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions, and selected six weeks as the appropriate entry point.

Taking into account the player’s timely acceptance of the charge, his good disciplinary record and full cooperation with the disciplinary process, the independent disciplinary committee elected to apply the full 50 percent mitigation and reduced the sanction to three weeks.

Seguret will be free to play again on Monday 28 April.

However, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching intervention course, he will be free to play on Monday, April 21.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.