South Africa lock Lood de Jager will play no further part in the Springboks’ Quilter Nations Series after being sent offin their clash with France in Paris.
The experienced second-rower saw red from referee Angus Gardner just before half-time after making direct shoulder-to-head contact with Thomas Ramos.
Despite being reduced to 14 men, the Boks powered to a 32-17 victory at the Stade de France, but they’ll now have to do without De Jager for the rest of their campaign — including fixtures against Italy, Ireland, and Wales.
An independent disciplinary panel confirmed the red card decision and hit De Jager with a four-match suspension. However, the ban can be cut to three games if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme – better known as ‘tackle school’.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus accepted the decision, admitting that while it was tough, the Springboks have learned to adapt.
“We’ve learned to accept decisions,” said Erasmus. “In the past, it might have thrown us off for 10 or 15 minutes, but since 2018 we’ve grown a lot as a team. Dwelling on it gets you nowhere.”
Erasmus even acknowledged that the red was likely the right call:
“I think it was a red card – maybe a debatable one about whether it should’ve been permanent or a 20-minute red – but that’s rugby. We’ve had these situations before, like Pieter-Steph du Toit’s red in 2022, and it’s given us the experience to cope.”
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