Franco Mostert has his red card overturned as the Springboks raise concerns over refereeing consistency ahead of their clash with Ireland.
Springboks Win Appeal Over Mostert’s Red Card
The Springboks overturned Franco Mostert’s’ permanent red card against Italy after arguing that officials treated them unfairly.
Mostert has the chance to face Ireland in Dublin on Sunday because the appeal panel cleared him of serious foul play.
Doleman showed him a red card in the 12th minute after his shoulder struck Paolo Garbisi’s head.
South Africa immediately challenged the decision, insisting the tackle did not meet the red-card threshold.
The Springboks still beat Italy 32-14 in Turin. They again finished the match with 14 men.
One week earlier, they defeated France 32-17 despite losing Lood de Jager to a high-tackle dismissal.
De Jager received a four-match ban, which the team continues to challenge.
They also convinced officials that Franco Mostert deserved no suspension.
World Rugby’s disciplinary panel agreed that Franco Mostert’s head contact came second to a lower-force shoulder hit.
They ruled the tackle lacked the required level of danger for a red card.
Rassie Erasmus voiced his frustration after the win in Turin.
“We are proud of how we avoid head contact, yet we keep getting red cards,” he said.
Erasmus argued that very tall players struggle to tackle any lower, especially when opponents fall or change height.
“Losing two locks in two games makes things extremely hard,” he added.
He said playing with 13 men at one stage only increased the challenge.
South Africa Question Consistency From Officials
After arriving in Dublin, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick supported Erasmus’ concerns.
“Every week we lose players and it’s sad,” Stick said.
He admitted he avoids strong statements to prevent sanctions like the one Erasmus received in the past.
Stick said the Springboks never disrespect opponents and always try to play in the right spirit.
He questioned the fairness of recent decisions. “Are we treated fairly? I don’t think so,” he said.
Stick noted several unpunished tackles and cleanouts in other November tests that looked more dangerous than those involving De Jager and Mostert.
He highlighted moments in the Fiji–France match and the Ireland–Australia clash as examples of inconsistent officiating.
“Other players return immediately, but ours get suspended. Something doesn’t add up,” he said.
Stick argued that the Springboks work hard to uphold the laws and set a positive example.
“We don’t deserve this as a team,” he said.
The Boks now prepare to face Ireland for the first time since their 13-8 loss in the 2023 World Cup pool stage.
Ireland won that match, but the Springboks went on to claim the world title in Paris.
An all-English team of officials, led by Matthew Carley, will handle the match in Dublin.
The Springboks end their November schedule next weekend against Wales in Cardiff.
