Bok star receives ban for red card against France
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Springbok lock Lood de Jager will play no further part in South Africa’s Nations Series campaign.
The 32-year-old received a four-match ban for foul play in his side’s 32-17 win over France last weekend.
De Jager was given a straight red card by referee Angus Gardner after his shoulder made contact with Thomas Ramos’ head in the 40th minute of the match.
On Tuesday, a statement revealed that the “disciplinary committee has upheld the red card issued to the player”.
De Jager’s ban will be reduced to three matches if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
However, he will still miss the Springboks’ upcoming matches against Italy, Ireland and Wales.
See below for the full Independent Disciplinary update provided by the Nations Series:
South Africa number 5, Lood de Jager, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee this afternoon via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.16 in the match between France and South Africa on Saturday 8th November 2025.
The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), joined by former referees Val Toma (Romania) and Donal Courtney (Ireland).
The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate. Mitigating factors were applied by the Committee reducing the six-week entry point by two weeks, thus reducing the final sanction to four weeks/matches.
The suspension will cover the following matches:
15 November 2025 – Italy vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
22 November 2025 – Ireland vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
29 November 2025 – Wales vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
14 December 2025 – Wild Knights v Toshiba Brave Lupus, Japan League One *
* The player has additionally been given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of their sanction which is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. Further information can be found here.
