New Zealand – South Africa: why did Sam Cane’s yellow card turn into red?

2023-10-28 22:07:23

This is undoubtedly the turning point of this World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa. In the 34th minute of play, while the Springboks obtained a penalty in the opposing 22 m following a good scratch from Kitshoff, the match referee Wayne Barnes stopped the game to announce the decision of the “bunker” for the yellow card by Sam Cane, released five minutes ago. “The yellow card will become a red card,” we heard in his earpiece. The All Blacks captain was therefore sent off in the 34th minute of play.

Let’s go back a few minutes before to understand the decision of the video referees, already called upon for a dangerous clearance by Frizell on Mbonambi at the start of the match. After a South African forward in the 28th minute, Wayne Barnes asked to review a tackle from Sam Cane on the previous action.

In the images, we can clearly see the New Zealand number 7 tackling Jesse Kriel very high. Without bending down enough, the third row hits the South African center directly on the head with his shoulder. The yellow card came out directly, along with the bunker, giving the video referees the right to review the images more calmly.

The tackle was therefore considered “too dangerous”, and the tackler did not benefit from “mitigating circumstances” to allow him to leave for only 10 minutes and return to the field. This is a very big blow for New Zealand who lose their captain, but who will especially have to hold on in the World Cup final for more than 40 minutes at 14 against 15. This is the first red card of the history in the final of a World Cup and we had to wait for the tenth edition. The All Blacks were trailing (6-12) at half-time.