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Cape Town - Retired South African Test referee Jonathan Kaplan says the Television Match Official made the right call by awarding Australia a try late in their Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks.
VIDEO: Jonathan Kaplan visits the Sport24 HQ
There was debate whether Wallaby centre Tevita Kuridrani had grounded the ball on the tryline, but Kaplan believes there was enough evidence to suggest so.
“I think in this particular case, as much as it hurts South Africa, he (TMO Ben Skeen) may have got it right,” Kaplan told Sport24 on Monday. “The reason being is that Kuridrani didn’t make a second movement. He was trying to place the ball and I do think that there is evidence to suggest that the tip of the ball actually did touch the tryline.
“As much as the rearguard effort of Schalk Burger to save that situation... it must be commended... but I still think the TMO did get the decision right.”
Kaplan also said he felt a penalty try was on the cards.
“If you say that you’re not happy with the evidence - and I don’t think you can - but let’s say the evidence is not conclusive enough, there is a very strong argument to suggest that a penalty try could have and would have been given if a try wouldn’t have been scored, because that’s really only when a penalty try can be given.
“And the reason I say that is because, if you take Schalk Burger’s actions... he never arrived through the gate, he never arrived on his feet either. I think the TMO has got it right, unfortunately for South Africa.”
World-renowned former Test referee, Jonathan Kaplan, joined us in studio. WATCH:
