Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has ignited a fiery debate, alleging that referees are not treating the Springboks fairly. His comments come after two Springboks received red cards in consecutive weeks during their November tour, raising serious questions about officiating standards.
Red Cards Spark Controversy
The red cards, handed to Lood de Jager against France and Franco Mostert against Italy, have been particularly contentious. Stick argues that these decisions, deemed permanent reds by the referees despite World Rugby's protocols reserving such penalties for acts of thuggery, have unfairly impacted the team.
"As a team, we are just disappointed with how things are flowing at the moment. We are losing players every week," Stick stated, highlighting the frustration within the Springbok camp. He emphasized the positive atmosphere leading up to the Italy game, which was quickly overshadowed by Mostert's early dismissal.
Did Mostert Deserve the Red?
Stick maintains that both De Jager and Mostert acted within the rules, suggesting that Mostert's red card was particularly unjust. "With Franco, it was probably just that there was contact to the shoulder, but it moved to the head. I don’t understand how it becomes a permanent red card," he questioned.
The assistant coach acknowledges the physicality of rugby but insists that the Springboks are being unfairly penalized. "They’ve tried to do everything by the book, but rugby is a physical game. Sometimes you don’t get it perfect. But for them to say the tackle was never legal was disappointing. I think we are being treated unfairly."
The controversy surrounding these red cards is sure to fuel further debate about refereeing consistency and the interpretation of rules within international rugby. It remains to be seen whether World Rugby will address these concerns raised by the Springbok coaching staff.