Franco Mostert’s red card rescinded

Franco Mostert’s red card against Italy has reportedly been rescinded by a World Rugby disciplinary committee.

He received the red card for a dangerous tackle on flyhalf Paolo Garbisi in the 12th minute of the Springboks’ 32-14 win in Turin last weekend.

There was no obvious head contact, and plenty of mitigation. However, referee James Doleman, his assistants and the TMO decided to give the player a permanent red card.

Netwerk24 reported on Wednesday that the committee found the match officials had erred in issuing the card. They downgraded the red card to a yellow, making Mostert available for selection for the Springboks’ clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday (kick-off 7.40pm).

Mostert’s legal team was reportedly able to prove that there was no contact with the head of the ball-carrier.

World Rugby had not yet released an official statement about the matter.

Lood De Jager’s ban remained, however, for his no-arms tackle during South Africa’s 32-17 win over France in Paris the week before. He had three matches left of his four-game ban.

After Ireland, the Springboks play only one more fixture against Wales before their season comes to an end.

ALSO READ: ‘Are we treated fairly? I don’t think so,’ says Stick about reffing decisions

Boks don’t feel fairly treated

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick admitted that the team felt a massive sense of injustice over the permanent red cards handed out to the two players.

“As a team, we’re just disappointed with how things are,” he said.

“At the moment, week after week, we’re losing players. It’s sad that everyone was looking forward to the Italy game, and for it to turn out the way it did is just disappointing.

“If you look at Franco Mostert’s actions, and even those of Lood de Jager the previous week, they’ve done everything by the book. The only mistake is that maybe the contact was high and near the head. But I don’t understand how that becomes a permanent (red card).