Kaplan backs rugby's white card

The white card was first introduced in the inaugural Varsity Cup competition in 2008, but fell away soon afterwards.

However, 2015 will see it return in Varsity Cup, with each team allowed two referrals per match, one in each half. This has to be requested almost immediately after the incident the team would like to review.

Kaplan, writing on his website www.ratetheref.co.za, said SARU and the Varsity Cup organisers should be lauded for their attempts to enhance the game.

He wrote: "The decision to trial the white card must be applauded. It may be a few years too late, but better late than never! There are so many matches, often those at the top tier which have been decided by referee error, I simply cannot believe that it has taken this long. It’s not the poor referee's fault. We all make mistakes. It is a failing on the part of administration to understand the direction and needs of the modern game.

Kaplan said the white card system will also improve the credibility of the game as a whole.

"What this will do is cater for a greater degree of accuracy on the part of officials, and will be an inclusive management tool which will make the players feel as if they are part of the decision making (around points scoring). It will also have the effect of eradicating officials who are not up to it. If referees keep getting it wrong, they will no longer be used in time."

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