Williams to appeal against ban

Johannesburg - The Springbok Women announced that they will appeal against the 16-week suspension handed to captain Mandisa Williams on Monday.

The ban handed down to the loose forward was for allegedly striking and making contact with Australian lock Alisha Hewett, in their opening IRB Women's Rugby World Cup clash last Friday.

Williams was cited on Saturday and appeared before a disciplinary committee at the French Rugby Federation in Marcoussis on Sunday.

Williams was alleged to have contravened law 10.4 (m) and 10.4 (a) which states that a player should not strike an opponent nor act contrary to good sportsmanship.

The incident took place in the 39th minute where it was said that Williams pushed the Australian.

She was further alleged to have made contact with the eye of the opposition player and struck Hewett.

Should the suspension be upheld following the appeal, it would effectively mean that Williams would be ruled out of rugby for the remainder of the team's World Cup campaign, as well as the Saru Women's Interprovincial semifinal and final in September.

The Springbok Women are set to face hosts France in their second pool match on Tuesday and Wales in their final match on Saturday.