Stormers forward Robbie Kempson, charged with attempting to rape a 17-year-old schoolgirl at the weekend, attended team practice on Monday as his lawyer tried to quell suggestions that the player had received preferential treatment from the justice system, the Cape Times reported.

The former Springbok, whose recent form has put him in contention for a return to the national team, was released on R2 000 bail after a special hearing on Sunday night. He will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Stormers captain Corne Krige called his squad together to discuss "relationships" in the wake of the charges.

"We believe Robbie is not guilty and the players and management are standing behind him," Krige said. "But I don't know, maybe he wasn't as careful as he should be.

"When you're a high-profile person you can't behave as though you were a 25-year-old student. I've called a team meeting this afternoon to discuss this and tell the players to be more careful."

Kempson was arrested on Sunday after a matric pupil, whose brother is a good friend of the player, laid a charge with the Claremont police.

The girl had visited Kempson's Claremont home on Saturday night with her brother to celebrate the Stormers' 27-13 win over the Highlanders. They slept over at the house and the girl said Kempson, 26, tried to rape her at around 7am.

After his arrest, the player was taken to the Claremont police station and formally charged.

He would have remained in custody at least until today had the prosecutor and magistrate not agreed to attend a special hearing.

A senior criminal advocate said on Monday this treatment was "highly extraordinary".

"The new bail law was introduced specifically to reduce after-hours bail hearings," said the city advocate, who may not be named for professional reasons.

"There would have to be very special circumstances for this to be justified."

Justice officials would not comment officially, but a source said special provision was made "in the case of high-profile people".

Earlier Wynberg Chief Magistrate Jaco van Renen told reporters only juvenile offenders would qualify for an after-hours bail hearing if charged with attempted rape.

Rape Crisis acting director Kathleen Dey said public figures were often treated with kid gloves.

"Of course I can't comment on this case and each person has to be tried before they are found guilty, but we are worried that public figures get some kind of special status.

"No one wants to believe that a good sportsman would try to rape someone.

"This makes it very hard for the woman involved, because no one believes her side of the story."

Kempson's lawyer, Brian Biebuyck, denied his client had been treated differently.

"This kind of thing happens all the time," he said. "There's nothing unusual about it."

The mood at the Stormers training session was upbeat on Monday after the team's performance at the weekend, with players determined to show that the charges against Kempson hadn't dampened their jubilation.

But Kempson himself didn't join in the banter. He left training early.

His next court appearance is two days before the Stormers game against the Hurricanes at Newlands. Coach Alan Solomons would not say whether Kempson would take the field.

"I will pick my team on Thursday, more than that I cannot say."

South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) chief executive officer Rian Oberholzer was similarly tight-lipped.

"Sarfu is aware of the media reports but we are waiting for more information on this matter before commenting further.

"We need to have all the facts and consult with our legal representatives before we can give a more formal position," he said.