'Merited a red card': Romain Poite says South Africa star escaped sending off

A number of current and ex referees have had their say about the events of the quarter-final clash between France and South Africa last weekend, including the match referee himself Ben O’Keeffe.

Former referee turned Toulon coach Romain Poite is the latest person to have their say about some of the controversial moments at the Stade de France on Sunday, and believes South Africa flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit should have been red carded in the first-half.

The incident came on 17 minutes in South Africa’s 22. Following a carry from prop Frans Malherbe, France centre Jonathan Danty attempted a jackal. The Frenchman was cleared out by Bongi Mbonambi and subsequently penalised by O’Keeffe for playing the ball off his feet. However, just after being driven backwards by the Springboks hooker, he received a blow to the face from du Toit in what appeared to be head-on-head contact.

Jacques Nienaber and Siya Kolisi preview the World Cup semifinal – South Africa versus England

Jacques Nienaber and Siya Kolisi preview the World Cup semifinal – South Africa versus England

Danty stayed on one knee and was immediately treated by the medic, but nothing came of this incident. But Poite, speaking to Midi Olympique this week, believes this should have resulted in a red card for the Springbok.

“Danty is rightly penalised for playing the ball on the ground without being on his feet and is on the ground without having possession of the ball,” the Frenchman said.

“The South African No7 (Du Toit), who wants to clean very low, comes into direct contact with Danty’s head with his head, without really controlling his posture. Which, in the eyes of the rules, could (should!) have largely merited a red card…”

Bizarrely, this was similar to the red card du Toit received last year against France in Marseille, where Danty was the recipient of head-on-head contact again. On that occasion France came away 30-26 winners, although it was the reigning world champions who came out on top this time, winning 29-28.