Lood de Jager red card explained: Why was South Africa forward sent off against France in Quilter Nations Series clash?

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One massive moment in South Africa and France's Quilter Nations Series clash was the explosive red card given to Springbok lock Lood de Jager. The second row was shown a permanent red card for making direct shoulder-to-head contact with Thomas Ramos as opposed to a 20-minute red card, with referee Angus Gardner deciding there was no mitigation for the Springbok's offence.

De Jager receives permanent red for 'intentional and reckless' head-high tackle

Video credit: TNT Sports

South Africa lock Lood de Jager was given a red card shortly before half-time in their Quilter Nations Series clash with France, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Springboks forward was shown a permanent red, much to the delight of the Parisian crowd. He made direct shoulder-to-head contact with French full-back Thomas Ramos.

Ramos was already low to the ground after being tackled by Cobus Reinach when De Jager charged into the Frenchman.

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Referee Angus Gardner decided that as the second row's arm was tucked while colliding with Ramos, the action was always illegal. With no mitigation, Gardner and television match official Ian Tempest concluded he met the threshold for a permanent red card, meaning the Springboks could not replace him.

"Goodness me, that's Lood de Jager, and that feels, unless there's a lot of mitigation…," said TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins, insinuating it was a red card.

"Nothing yellowy-red about that challenge from Lood de Jager. It felt the reddest of reds."

In the studio, TNT Sports pundit James O'Connor was equally convinced it was a red card.

"I think the big thing they're talking about here is the arm was never in the tackle, so it's always going to be a shoulder charge," the Australian said.

"I think once you've committed, and he's actually gone low, maybe a penalty. But as soon as that elbow hasn't come up in a two-arm tackle, then yeah it's an illegal play."

South Africa supporters, however, felt aggrieved by the decision, largely due to the position of Ramos and him being on his knees.

John Smit, who captained the Springboks in their 2007 Rugby World Cup win, tweeted that rugby "is in trouble," when decisions like De Jager's are made.

What are World Rugby’s laws on head contact?

Law 9 of the Laws of Rugby Union covers head-on-head contact and foul play.

Law 9.11 states: "Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others, including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler."

Law 9.13 also says: "A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders."

Referees must go through a four-step process to determine whether an offence dictates a yellow or red card, or a penalty.

The four steps are:

Has head contact occurred?
Was there any foul play?
What was the degree of danger?
Is there any mitigation?

What are 20-minute red cards?

The 20-minute red card was first introduced in Test matches last year, and gives referees the option to give a 20-minute red card for offences.

Acts of foul play that are not deemed as deliberate or intentional are now awarded a 20-minute red instead of a permanent sending off.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The offending player leaves the field, but after 20 minutes, their team can bring a different player on to replace them and go back to 15 players on the pitch.

A 20-minute red card means that an offence like accidental head contact can be given a 20-minute card, instead of a permanent red.

South Africa lost De Jager for the rest of the match, but produced a brilliant second-half surge to secure the win.

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Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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