CONFIRMED: Mostert's red card dismissed
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Springbok utility forward Franco Mostert has learnt his fate following his permanent red card against Italy in Turin this past weekend.
The towering forward was sent off the field in the 12th minute following what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle on Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi.
However, Mostert’s red card has now been rescinded after his disciplinary hearing.
This is good news for Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team, who are short on specialist No. 5 locks ahead of their upcoming clash against Ireland.
Lood de Jager’s November tour went up in flames following his red card for a similar offence in the win over France, which led to a four-match suspension.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is set to announce his side on Thursday.
See below for the full Independent Disciplinary update provided by the Nations Series:
South Africa No.5, Franco Mostert, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday evening via video link, having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 in the match between Italy and South Africa on Saturday 15th November 2025.
The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Stephen Hardy (Australia), who was joined by former players Ofisa Tonu’u (New Zealand) and Jamie Corsi (Wales).
Having conducted a detailed review of all available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence and submissions made by and on behalf of the Player, the Disciplinary Committee determined that although there had been head contact and an act of foul play occurring within the incident, the offending did not reach the Red Card threshold.
Rather, the evidence established that the initial contact made by the Player was directly to the shoulder of Italy 10 with there being “daylight” between the shoulder contact and head/neck area of Italy 10. Head contact was then found to have occurred, but was found to be secondary to the initial shoulder contact and made with much lower force and without the requisite level of “danger” required under World Rugby’s Head Contact Process to make the offending reach the red card threshold.
The Red Card has accordingly been dismissed and will be expunged from the Player’s disciplinary record.
As a result, the Player is now free to play and available for selection this weekend.
