Mostert Cleared to Face Ireland After Red Card Reversal
South Africa’s Franco Mostert is free to play against Ireland this weekend after his red card in the recent match against Italy was rescinded. A review committee resolute that any head contact during the tackle was secondary to initial shoulder contact and did not meet the threshold for a red card under World Rugby’s Head Contact Process.
The decision comes as a significant boost to the Springboks, who are already without fellow lock Lood de Jager. De Jager was sent off for a similar incident during South Africa’s win over France a fortnight ago and afterward banned for the remainder of the autumn internationals. The loss of both second-row forwards would have severely impacted the team’s lineup for the crucial match against Ireland.
South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick recently voiced concerns about perceived unfair treatment of his team by match officials, also referencing bans handed down to Makazole mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels for club incidents that have ruled them out of the northern hemisphere tour.
Despite De Jager’s absence, South Africa possesses depth in the second row. Jean Kleyn, who previously played five times for Ireland in 2019 before returning to represent his native South Africa, started against Italy. Leinster’s RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje provide further options from the bench. Veteran Eben Etzebeth, a key figure in South Africa’s World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, was rested for the Italy fixture.
