Cape Town - Retired Test referee Jonathan Kaplan feels Ireland flank CJ Stander did not deserve to be given a red card against the Springboks at Newlands this past weekend.
The South African-born Stander was sent off in the 22nd minute after an aerial collision with Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie.
Lambie was stretchered off with French referee Mathieu Raynal dishing out a red card.
In a conversation on Twitter, Kaplan said he felt the decision to send Stander off was harsh.
Stander had attempted to charge down a kick from Lambie when his body collided with the Bok pivot, knocking him down.
According to Kaplan, Stander’s actions were accidental and he felt that the Irish loose forward also did not leap straight into Lambie.
Kaplan noted that it is a contact sport and such accidents would occur from time to time.
View the twitter conversation below:
@roblouw6 was never a red card in the first place
— Jonathan Kaplan (@RefJK) June 12, 2016
@MattP555 @roblouw6 he wasn't my mentor .. He is a friend . he also said zas was a red . disagreed . I'm v clear - no red
— Jonathan Kaplan (@RefJK) June 12, 2016
@AllBlackShark @MattP555 @roblouw6 that's stretching it plenty .. He did not leap into him .
— Jonathan Kaplan (@RefJK) June 12, 2016
@AllBlackShark @MattP555 @roblouw6 not really the point .. That is parochial thinking .
— Jonathan Kaplan (@RefJK) June 12, 2016
@AllBlackShark it happens all the time . it was unfortunate . it wasn't red card . the discussion around it is over for me
— Jonathan Kaplan (@RefJK) June 13, 2016