Ben O’Keeffe will referee the SA vs France game this weekend.
Images via Twitter:
@rugbyworldcup
‘Disaster’: Springboks fans react to NZ ref for SA vs France game
Biased? Springboks fans are crying foul over New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe who will officiate the SA vs France RWC quarter-final game.
Ben O’Keeffe will referee the SA vs France game this weekend.
Images via Twitter:
@rugbyworldcup
The referees for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final games have been announced, and Springboks are not impressed with their allocated official – Ben O’Keeffe.
The New Zealander will oversee the game between South Africa and France next weekend.
But Bok fans are not convinced that the ref is the most neutral option given his ruling in Mzansi’s match against Ireland last month.
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BEN O’KEEFFE: SPRINGBOKS FANS CRY FOUL OVER NZ REF
In a social media post by the Rugby World Cup, four referees from around the world were announced as the officials of the quarter-final games, set to take place this weekend.
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They are:
- Jaco Peyper (SA) – Wales vs Argentina
- Wayne Barnes (England) – Ireland vs New Zealand
- Mathieu Raynal (France) – England vs Fiji
- Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) – SA vs France
But South Africans were not impressed with the official who will oversee the Springboks game. This, after many cried foul over his rulings in the SA vs Ireland Pool B game last month.
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Here’s what X or Twitter users had to say:
@ZeusMjsb: “Really, Ben O’Keefe? So that’s how you want South Africa eliminated from the competition.
@OswaldNcube: “What did the Boks do to deserve such? This is going to be painful to watch.”
@Lloyd_Armstrong: “Ben O’Keeffe ready to remove the Boks from the equation.”
RASSIE’S MESSAGE TO REF
While SA Rugby’s Rassie Erasmus is known for his sharp tongue against referees, he’s seemingly a fan of Ben O’Keeffe.
Following SA’s defeat by Ireland, the outspoken former Bok tweeted a message to the Kiwi official. He posted: “Nice to be involved in a game so intense and physical without the referee getting too involved”.
He added: “Well done Ben, and your team”.
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SA VS FRANCE: WHERE, WHEN AND WHAT TIME
Springboks will take on France on Sunday, 15 October, at the Stade De France.
The match will be broadcast at 21:00 SA time.
Viewers can catch the game on DStv’s SuperSports and SABC 2 or via the SABC Plus app or site.
