South Africa
South Africa re-intoduces decision referral system
ESPN Staff
November 24, 2014
Varsity Cup features South Africa's top rugby-playing universities © Getty Images
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How The System Will Work

  • * The coach will inform the TMO of the request for a review via radio contact.
  • The coach has to provide the details of the referral including the location on the field, the time it occurred and the phase in which it took place.
  • The TMO will then inform the referee about the referral.
  • At the next stoppage of play the TMO will review the incident and advise the referee on the appropriate decision to be taken.

South Africa has re-introduced a system by which Varsity Cup captains and coaches can refer contentious refereeing decisions for review to Television Match Officials (TMOs) during games, "to ensure that the correct decisions are made consistently".

Tournament organisers and South African Rugby Union officials announced on Sunday that the white card system, which was first introduced in the inaugural Varsity Cup competition in 2008, would be re-introduce in 2015 alongside the two referees system.

"This is a step in the right direction to assist referees to get that important decision correct, and to put some responsibility on the captain and coaches to help with the process," SARU general manager of referees said. Varsity Cup CEO Duitser Bosman, meanwhile, said tournament orhanisers "started with the two referees this year, and we are reintroducing the white card this coming year in a process to get the game as fair as possible".

The teams each will be allowed two referrals per match, one in each half, to be requested almost immediately after the incident they would like to have reviewed. There will be no limit on what can be reviewed provided the review concerns an infringement of a law or an incorrect application. Teams may also call for a referral on their own play.

The outcome of the review by the TMO and the referee is final.

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