White cards trialled in Cape Town

Another officiating experiment has been trialled in Cape Town, at the final of the Varsity Cup between the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Stellenbosch University.

Another officiating experiment has been trialled in Cape Town, at the final of the Varsity Cup between the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Stellenbosch University.

The captains of the team were given licence to appeal decisions on a limited basis, once each per half, at which point the referee would flourish a white card and the decision would be referred to the TMO.

UCT captain JJ Gagiano used both appeals, both successfully. Firstly he appealed for a punch to one of his players by a Stellenbosch flanker, which yielded a penalty for UCT as a result of the analysis from TMO Shaun Veldsman.

In the second half came a much more contentious moment. Stellenbosch full-back Joe Pietersen kicked ahead, the ball was fumbled by the receivers and scrum-half Wilhelm Koch raced away for the try.

Gagiano appealed, on the grounds that the Stellenbosch players in front of Pietersen when he kicked had been within 10 metres of the ball when it landed and had not retreated, thus interfering with play.

Veldsman upheld the appeal, and the try was disallowed – maintaining UCT's 10-6 lead at the time.

South Africa's manager of referees, André Watson said that the experiment was in the interests of “getting the call right”. He also said that a report on the matter would be sent to the International Rugby Board.

Two appeals, and both were successful. But the incidents did break the rhythm of the game a bit, and once again seemed to undermine the authority of the actual man in the middle, not an altogether desirable concept.