Springboks: Officials Make Shocking Decision to Upgrade Esterhuizen’s Card to Red
The Springboks faced a harsh decision as officials upgraded Andre Esterhuizen’s card to red.
In a historic first test match between the Springboks and Portugal in Bloemfontein, the Springboks secured a comprehensive 64-21 victory. However, the match was marred by controversy when Andre Esterhuizen was shown a red card after a dubious decision by the officials.
Initially, Esterhuizen’s powerful tackle in the 2nd minute seemed entirely legal, but he was surprisingly shown a yellow card. To make matters worse, the TMO bunker upgraded it to a red card, leaving many, including Springbok legend Victor Matfield, in disbelief. Matfield felt that even a yellow card was harsh, making the red card decision appear even more unjust.
SPRINGBOKS SHOWN HARSH RED CARD
Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen’s big hit resulted in an unexpectedly severe punishment. Despite the initial impression that the tackle was legal, the officials deemed it a yellow card offense, and then the TMO upgraded it to red.
To issue a red card, there must typically be head-to-head contact with no mitigation. However, in Esterhuizen’s case, there were multiple mitigating factors. The initial contact was below the shoulders, he was bent at the hips, and the impact was also below the shoulders. At worst, there was subtle head-to-head contact due to whiplash and sheer impact.
Despite these mitigating factors, the officials decided on a red card, much to the dismay of many, including Matfield, who believed that even a yellow card was too harsh. This decision brought back memories of when Bismarck du Plessis was red-carded for a clean hit on All Blacks legend Daniel Carter.
Fortunately, for the Springboks, the controversial red card did not prove costly, as they ran in ten tries to secure a convincing and historic 64-21 win over Portugal in Bloemfontein. However, with Damien de Allende leaving the Boks training camp for personal reasons and ten Springboks sidelined going into the Rugby Championship, Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby will be hoping for no further issues, especially with Jasper Wiese also suspended.
