VIDEO - Dobbo on Willemse: 'It's a disaster'

REACTION: Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson says his franchise will try to mount their “best defence” for Damian Willemse in the coming days after the Springbok superstar received a red card against Cardiff on Friday.

The Capetonians secured fifth place in the standings with a 34-24 bonus-point win at Cape Town Stadium.

Both sides were reduced to 14 men during the match.

Cardiff prop Danny Southworth was sent off for a high shot on Neethling Fouche in the 29th minute before Willemse received his marching orders in the 58th minute for his high tackle of Gabe Hamer-Webb.

Willemse’s shoulder made contact with the Cardiff wing’s head.

The Stormers will review the damning footage of the Willemse incident to see if they can spot any mitigation that they can use.

However, it seems that they will be clutching at straws.

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“We will mount our best defence,” Dobson told reporters after the match.

“I haven’t seen it enough to comment on the impact of Zassie’s [Leolin Zas’] tackle [in the Willemse incident]. I don’t know if it was enough.

“It was our fault. Gaza [Willemse] wasn’t released from the inside by Zas and then he was stuck and he turned, so I don’t think he was trying to hit with a shoulder, he was trying to turn.

“The implications, I’m sure, are going to be poor for us. I’ve got no doubt.”

Dobson added: “We can’t appeal until there is a decision.

“We can decide if we are going to wait for them to give us a ruling or we can go straight to the judicial officer.

“I think if we go straight to a judicial officer there is more chance of a better sanction, but there will still be sanction.

“I don’t see them overturning it unless Zas has clearly caused the height to come down.

“It sounds like it is grey. It’s a disaster for us.”

@rugby365com