South Africa’s assistant coach, Mzwandile Stick, has voiced concerns over what he perceives as unfair treatment of the Springboks following a series of red-card incidents in recent matches. Speaking to reporters in Dublin ahead of South Africa’s Test against Ireland, Stick highlighted the suspensions of key players, including Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert, as evidence of biased officiating. De Jager received a four-game ban for a high tackle on France’s Thomas Ramos, while Mostert was sent off for a shoulder-to-head challenge on Italy’s Paolo Garbisi. Both incidents have sparked controversy, with Stick questioning the consistency of disciplinary decisions. ‘Every week we are losing players, and it’s sad,’ Stick lamented. He also referenced recent bans for South African players Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels in the United Rugby Championship, suggesting a pattern of disproportionate punishment. Stick defended Mostert’s actions, arguing that the tackle was not intentionally dangerous and that the physical nature of rugby sometimes leads to imperfect outcomes. He also criticized the officiating in the match against Italy, claiming that 20 out of 21 decisions in the first half went against South Africa. Despite the controversies, Stick emphasized the Springboks’ commitment to fair play and expressed regret over the impact on Italy’s performance. The Springboks, reigning world champions, continue to face scrutiny as they navigate these challenges on the international stage.