Mostert can face Ireland after red card overturned

Ireland vs. South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium Kickoff Time: 17:40 GMT on Saturday, November 22

After receiving a permanent red card for a high hit, South Africa second row Franco Mostert will no longer have to face Ireland on Saturday.

The Springboks won 32-14 away to Italy last weekend, but the 34-year-old was dismissed after 11 minutes because referee James Doleman determined there was a high level of danger in Mostert’s tackle, and a straight shoulder, with no attempt to “wrap” his arms, prevented the incident from being mitigated.

After reviewing replays and Mostert’s evidence, the committee concluded that head contact was secondary to the initial shoulder contact and was made with much less force and without the necessary “danger” required by World Rugby’s Head Contact Process to make the offender reach the red card threshold.

After De Jager was dismissed for a similar incident in the Springboks’ win over France a fortnight ago and banned for the rest of the autumn internationals, South Africa are already missing Lood de Jager, who also serves in second row in Lood de Jager, for the meeting with Ireland.

Mzwandile Stick, South Africa’s assistant coach, claimed on Monday that officials were treating his team unfairly. He also made mention of bans placed on Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Makazole Mapimpi for actions taken while on club duty that prevented them from participating in South Africa’s northern hemisphere tour.

South Africa’s second row is well-stocked, even without De Jager.

Jean Kleyn started against Italy with Leinster’s RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje on the bench after making five appearances for Ireland in 2019 after qualifying for them through residency and then returning to his home country after a stand-down period.