Bok fans hit out at official
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: Despite what many neutrals saw as an exceptional refereeing performance – Springboks fans and even a former player were not happy with Luke Pearce in the wake of their shock defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Ian Foster’s New Zealand ran out 35-23 victors over the Boks in the second of their two games on South African soil.
It’s a win that few predicted after a display of dominance from the hosts a week earlier and it hasn’t gone down well with SA fans – who have sought to scapegoat Pearce for the loss.
Even former Springboks were getting in on the act, with Breyton Paulse posting: “The Boks certainly didn’t deserve to win tonight but the ref made some really bad calls at critical times that took our oemf away, not good at all!!”
The Boks certainly didnt deserve to win tonight but the ref made some really bad calls at critical times that took our oemf away,not good at all!!
— Breyton Paulse (@BreytonPaulse) August 13, 2022
Luke Pearce yellow carded Willemse for a first cynical infringement. Now he’s giving warnings to the All Blacks for cynically collapsing the Bok maul.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) August 13, 2022
Luke Pearce is having a shocker
— Saffas Abroad Rugby (@SaffasRugby) August 13, 2022
Luke Pearce will be gutted to not get MOTM
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) August 13, 2022
A dare you to find a more cynical refereeing display than Luke Pearce here. Got the microscope out for the Boks on every single play. Not so much for the ABs.
— Matt Lawlor (@mklawlor) August 13, 2022
The complaints from South African fans were in stark contrast to neutrals, who widely lauded a superb performance from the Premiership whistler.
RugbyPass’ Ben Smith noted: “I, for one, am disappointed Luke Pearce missed 25 tackles out there on the field. Someone, somewhere, should do something about that.”
I, for one, am disappointed Luke Pearce missed 25 tackles out there on the field. Someone, somewhere, should do something about that. pic.twitter.com/A0zAmGK4ma
— Ben Smith (@bensmithrugby) August 14, 2022
Luke Pearce’s officiating of last night’s Springboks- All Blacks Test was superb. Well done.
Clear, concise and wanting the game to be played at speed.
Great Test. The Rugby Championship is alive. Great drama about this year’s tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 14, 2022
I personally thought Luke Pearce was flawless. Can’t think of a single decision he got wrong. Top class performance https://t.co/XQAKo4M6dB
— Steffan Thomas (@Steffan_Thomas1) August 13, 2022
Squidge Rugby observed how Pearce – like Nigel Owens before him – is nearly always involved in exceptionally good matches.
If you’re ever trying to figure out which fixtures will be absolute bangers, it’s easier to just search for matches Luke Pearce is refereeing than check which teams are playing.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) August 13, 2022
Sorry, won’t jump on the bash the ref bandwagon. Definitely didn’t get the rub of the green but the Boks lost 4 lineouts on their own throw, they were poor defensively.
The bomb squad backfired through injury and we were left with just one option for the aerial battle.— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) August 14, 2022
Enjoyed that first half. NZ looking a lot more like the All Blacks. SA back into it though just before HT and looking like they have solidified the set piece with an early change or two. Luke Pearce communicates very well and keeping the pace of game high.
— Christian Day (@christianday) August 13, 2022
By Ian Cameron, Rugbypass
