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Springboks coaching staff member Mzwandile Stick argues that the reigning champions have faced inequitable treatment following sending-off episodes during their wins against the French team and Italy.

Suspension Decisions Spark Controversy

Lood de Jager was handed a four-game ban after being sent off for a high tackle on French full-back Thomas Ramos in Paris, while Mostert was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Italy's Paolo Garbisi in Turin.

Mostert will undergo a international rugby governing body review process this week, with Stick stating that the world champions have lodged an appeal against De Jager's ban.

"Each week we are losing players and it's disappointing," Stick informed journalists in Dublin before South Africa's Test against the Irish team on Saturday.

Growing Concerns About Equitable Officiating

He stated: "I prefer not to say things and then wind up also facing suspension like Rassie [Erasmus, head coach] in the past.

"We have never spoken negatively about opposing sides. We always try and compete in a positive manner, and hopefully things can just be between the four lines. Do you believe we are treated justly? In my opinion so."

Stick also referenced recently imposed suspensions for Springbok internationals Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels while playing for their club teams in the domestic competition.

• Winger Mapimpi received a five-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on the Irish province's Michael Lowry on October 18th
• Forward Wessels is completing an eight-game ban - reduced from nine - for an reported genital grab on the provincial team's Josh Murphy

Pattern of Suspensions Raises Questions

"If you look at the recent four sendings-off with our players - we had Makazole Mapimpi banned, who is not with the squad at the moment," said Stick.

"This player is on 47 international appearances, missed out on a tour to reach to the 50th. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, a youngster, also missed out. Suspended.

"Lood de Jager, which I believe after the recent match and all that I've seen, even the Fijian team and the France game, the clean-outs that were there, the Ireland game against Australia, situations that were even worse than what those guys have been suspended for.

"Yet for them they're suspended, but other players will return and participate this week. Surely in some way, this is unjust.

"In my view we merit this as a squad. We're making every effort in our powers to ensure that we convey the right message when it comes to how we approach the sport."

Contact Elements of the Sport

Mostert was dismissed in the 12th minute against Italy, a match the Springboks emerged victorious 32-14.

"When examining at the actions of Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager the prior match, he has followed all protocols by the book," added backs coach Stick.

"His only error was just perhaps the impact was here [chest] but it resulted in the head area. It's unclear how this become permanent red card.

"In our view as technical staff, we still have to put in effort because we're working with these guys. We can see that they're nice and tall. They attempt to follow all instructions by the rules, but because the sport is a contact sport, sometimes you don't get it perfect.

"For them to declare the challenge was 'always illegal', it's frustrating."

Match Officiating Under Scrutiny

Stick also claimed the vast majority of the decisions against the Italian side did not favor the Springboks.

"Approximately about twenty-one rulings that were supposed to be made in the opening period or probably the first 45 minutes, 20 of them were against us.

"Not because of the ref. Regrettably he has to respect the comms from his team off the field.

"Frustrated with it, but nevertheless, I sympathize with Italy and I would like to express regret with how things turned out, because they've got a good coaching staff and then their squad members were also up for the match, but for other things to occur like that, I don't think they deserve what they've received in that game."