The Springboks ground out a win against Italy with 14 men. However, coach Rassie Erasmus is puzzled by refereeing inconsistencies.
Current tackle laws are confusing for most people. If they’re confusing Rassie, then you know things are about as clear as mud.
What’s the brains trust saying?
Rassie Erasmus mulls over refereeing decisions
After two consecutive weekends in which the Springboks have had a lock forward sent off, coach Rassie Erasmus is struggling to make sense of it. Most recently, Franco Mostert saw red against Italy in the 12th minute in Torino. The Boks won the match 32-14. They defeated France the previous weekend, 32-17, while also a man light after Lood de Jager’s sending off.
“Losing two five locks in two games for not going lower than they can lower, it’s tough to understand,” Erasmus said.
“We don’t know how to coach guys differently to go lower. We’re really a bit in a fix for a 2m guy and a 2.06m guy to go lower than a guy on his knee.”
“We are a very proud team in the way we do low chops and try and avoid head contact, and we’ve received just so many red cards in six weeks,” he said.
Ersmus highlights the effect on Springboks skipper Kolisi
Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi is directly affected by these puzzling decisions as he’s been the sacrificial lamb when the Boks went down to 14 men. This is another bone of contention for Rassie, and the tactical reshuffles haven’t only affected Kolisi, but also newcomer Ben-Jason Dixon:
“It’s sad that our captain, in his 100th game, and in his next game, had to sacrifice… for a captain like him to twice in a week have to suffer for us to win because of a call.”
“I feel it’s unfair on individuals like him (Ben)… getting his chance for the first time in a long time and then he had to be subbed,” Erasmus said. “Individuals suffer through for big moments and things that they can celebrate… it doesn’t take the hurt away.”
Rassie points out inconsistency in low head contact rulings
Rassie also believes that the way low head contact is assessed and scrutinised isn’t consistent. Despite that, he puts his hands up and acknowledges the quality of the Italy team that his side eventually beat.
“I’m not saying that the referee made the wrong call. However, I definitely saw a lot of other shots in the game… the first tackle he [Kolisi] took was right against the head,” Erasmus said. “I just thought the balance on calling the head shots was not as equal.”
“For us, this is a big win against a brilliant team.”
“We’re happy with the character, but I’m sad for the guys who bear the brunt.”
Rassie and his charges meet Ireland on Saturday, 22 November at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Kickoff is at 19:40 local time.
