White Card returns in VC play-offs
The two semifinals of the Varsity Cup will take place on Monday, April 4
UJ hosts NWU-Pukke at UJ Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg, while Maties will take on UP-Tuks at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
In June 2015, the Varsity Cup Board agreed to bring back the White Card rule for both Varsity Cup semifinals as well as the Varsity Cup final.
The White Card can be used by either coach or captain to review a decision by the referee. Each team is allowed one White Card review per half.
The coach will inform the TMO of the request for a review via radio contact. The coach must advise details regarding the location on the field where the incident took place, the time it occurred as well as the phase in which it took place. Afterwards, the TMO will inform the referee of the challenge, and the referee will then, at the next stoppage of play, raise a white card to indicate that a request for a review has been lodged.
"At Varsity Cup we strongly believe in the fairness of the game, and with the White Card rule during the semifinal and Final, we can make sure that the matches are as fair as possible," said Varsity Cup CEO Duitser Bosman.
"How it works is that each team's coach or captain is allowed two challenges per game. This is limited to a single challenge per half. During a stoppage in play either the coach or captain can request that the referee reviews a decision they strongly believe to be incorrect."
The TMO will then review the incident, and advise the on-field referee of the appropriate decision to be taken. The timing of the challenge is vital, as it should be done before the start of the next play.
