Lood de Jager banned: The Springbok’s decision that led to a longer ban after controversial red card and will Rassie Erasmus call in cover?
Lood de Jager's dangerous tackle on France full-back Thomas Ramos
Lood de Jager’s Springboks season is over, with the second-rower banned for the final three Tests of the year.
The lock was given his marching orders in the 38th minute of the Quilter Nations Series fixture against France at the Stade de France on Saturday.
De Jager made shoulder-to-head contact with French full-back Thomas Ramos shortly before half-time. Referee Angus Gardner reviewed the incident with TMO Ian Tempest and his assistants, but instead of yellow-carding the 32-year-old and sending the incident to be reviewed by the Foul Play Review Officer, the Australian referee deemed that his actions met the permanent red card threshold.
While South Africa were reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the match, Rassie Erasmus’ charges overcame the setback to secure a 32-17 victory over Les Bleus.
De Jager’s ban
On Tuesday, the lock faced an independent Disciplinary Committee to decide his suspension fate with the panel chaired by Ireland’s Jennifer Donovan, who was joined by former referees Val Toma (Romania) and Donal Courtney (Ireland).
De Jager received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.16, which reads: “A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.”
A no-arms tackle could carry the following sanctions depending on how serious the panel deems the incident: Low-end: 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range: 6 weeks/matches; Top-end: 10+ weeks/matches; Max: 52 weeks/matches.
A statement from the Quilter Nations Series confirmed that the panel upheld the red card and determined that his actions warranted a mid-range entry point.
“The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate,” the statement read.
“Mitigating factors were applied by the Committee, reducing the six-week entry point by two weeks, thus reducing the final sanction to four weeks/matches.”
De Jager will be free to feature for the Saitama Wild Knights in the Japan League One fixture against Toshiba Brave Lupus on December 14, provided that he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
The Springboks lock was unable to get a full mitigation of three weeks from his initial six-week ban due to the fact that he did not plead guilty, seemingly attempting to contest the red and have it rescinded, which Tadhg Beirne successfully did last week.
However, the panel deemed De Jager to be remorseful and conducted himself well in the hearing. While the lock had been suspended for one week, previously, it was back in 2016 and was not taken into account when determining the length of his sanction.
Additionally, because the veteran forward’s tackle resulted in head/neck contact, the incident automatically reached the mid-range entry point, which is the minimum for such incidents.
The outcome of the hearing means that he will miss the Springboks’ remaining three fixtures of 2025 against Italy, Ireland and Wales.
Springboks’ options
It’s unlikely that De Jager and the Springboks will appeal the suspension, as it could result in a longer ban for the 73-Test cap second rower.
It’s yet to be seen whether Erasmus will call in cover in the second-rower despite having Salmaan Moerat on the stand-by list for the November internationals.
South Africa seemingly have sufficient cover in the locks in the form of Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, and Ruan Nortje. Additionally, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ben-Jason Dixon can provide cover in the role if required.
The other forwards on the standby list are Juarno Augustus, Neethling Fouche, Bongi Mbonambi, Evan Roos, and Vincent Tshituka.
Suspension details:
Lood de Jager’s suspension.
15 November 2025 – Italy vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
22 November 2025 – Ireland vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
29 November 2025 – Wales vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
14 December 2025 – Wild Knights v Toshiba Brave Lupus, Japan League One *
* The player has additionally been given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of their sanction which is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. Further information can be found here.
READ MORE: ‘We’ve learnt to accept decisions’ – Rassie Erasmus’ verdict on Lood de Jager’s red card
