MOSTERT’S RED CARD REVERSED IN BIG WIN FOR THE BOKS

In a dramatic turn of events, Springboks lock Franco Mostert has had his red card from the Italy match overturned after an independent World Rugby disciplinary panel reviewed the incident.

The committee, chaired by Stephen Hardy of Australia, was joined by former players Ofisa Tonuʻu (New Zealand) and Jamie Corsi (Wales).

The original red card was issued early in the game after Mostert was judged to have made dangerous head contact on Italy’s fly-half Paolo Garbisi. But the committee, having studied all camera angles and reviewed submissions, found that the tackle didn’t reach the threshold for a red card.

They concluded that the first point of contact was actually Mostert’s shoulder into Garbisi’s shoulder/chest, leaving “daylight” between the shoulder and head/neck region.

The subsequent head contact was judged to be secondary, made with low force and without the level of danger required to justify a red under World Rugby’s Head Contact Process.

As a result, the red card has been expunged from Mostert’s record and downgraded to a yellow. This decision clears the way for him to be selected for the Springboks’ upcoming Test against Ireland.

While the ruling is a huge relief, some still argue there’s a troubling pattern. This comes just a week after another Bok lock, Lood de Jager, was sent off in a similar situation.

The controversy has reignited debate about consistency in officiating and whether players are being treated fairly under World Rugby’s head-contact laws.

Image credit: Planet Rugby