Saracens' South African director of rugby Brendan Venter will have to watch the English Premiership final against Leicester from the stands after he was hit with a 14-week touchline ban on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old - a member of the South African side that won the 1995 World Cup final - was banned by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel for making provocative and inappropriate gestures during Saracens' win against Leicester a fortnight ago.

Venter received a 10-week ban for his gesture while RFU disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett activated the four-week suspended penalty he was given for criticism of referees earlier in the season.

However, the panel found Venter - whose club launched an immediate appeal - not guilty of pushing a female spectator.

"We were disappointed he didn't understand the seriousness of what occurred and his behaviour was clearly unacceptable in provoking a reaction from the Leicester supporters," said Blackett.

"This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable in rugby and we reminded him of the core values of the sport, which include respect for the opposition in all its forms."

However, Venter's compatriot Saracens hooker Schalk Brits will be able to play at the final at Twickenham on May 29 after the 29-year-old was reprimanded and warned as to his future conduct by the same disciplinary panel.

Brits - whose late try against Northampton last weekend helped Saracens into the final - pleaded guilty to making an abusive gesture to the crowd as he was substituted in the same game against Leicester.

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