Law discussion: Was the Sharks’ controversial penalty try against the Bulls the right decision?

David Skippers

23 Dec 2024 1:43 PM

Morne Ferreira referee and Bullsv Sharks pic — Sebastian de Klerk of the Bulls and Ethan Hooker of the Sharks compete for possession, and referee Morne Ferreira.

The Sharks claimed a 20-17 victory over the Bulls in their URC derby in Durban on Saturday and one of their scores was a penalty try, but did the match officials make the right decision?

As the scoreline suggests, this was a tightly contested encounter and momentum between the sides ebbed and flowed throughout.

The discussion

In the 57th minute, the Sharks launched an attack from deep inside their half with Jordan Hendrikse and Ethan Hooker prominent ball carriers.

The backline duo exchanged passes before Hendrikse delivered a deft chip kick which was bouncing around teasingly in the Bulls‘ dead-ball area.

Hooker and Bulls flyer Sebastian de Klerk gave chase and the Sharks centre then knocked the ball backwards.

The ball went against De Klerk’s body and bounced backwards, just in front of the dead-ball line, and Makazole Mapimpi closed in but before he could dot down, De Klerk knocked it out of play.

UNPOPULAR OPINION: PENALTY TRY WAS CORRECT
Officials spent their nearly 4 minute-deliberation well because they came to the correct conclusion.

de Klerk sunk his head in the ground because he knew what he'd done.#SHAvBUL #URC pic.twitter.com/jQCgPUBas9

— Sardieq (@SardieqWP) December 22, 2024

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Referee Morne Ferreira immediately consulted the television match official Quinton Immelman and after deliberating over the incident for nearly four minutes, a penalty try was awarded to the home side while De Klerk was also yellow carded.

Relevant Law

Under Law 9.7, which references unfair play in the in-goal area, it states: “A player must not intentionally break any of the game’s laws. A penalty try is awarded when the opposing team’s foul play prevents a probable try from being scored, or scored in a more advantageous position.”

In the television footage, it shows that De Klerk appears to deliberately knock the ball out of play beyond the dead-ball line.

That action prevents Mapimpi from diving onto the ball inside the field of play and, in doing so, scoring a try. That leaves the match officials with no alternative than to award the penalty try and therefore the right decision was made.

Bulls