France’s scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont listens as New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe (L) instructs players. Photo: AFP
Springboks v France fall-out: Ben O’Keeffe was ‘fair’ to both sides
Antonie Claasen feels Ben O’Keeffe was ‘fair to both teams’ during Springboks’ epic Rugby World Cup Quarter-final win over France in Paris.
France’s scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont listens as New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe (L) instructs players. Photo: AFP
Classen, a South African under-19 World Cup winner who was capped six times by France at Test match level, spoke to The South African via WhatsApp video call from the City of Lights, giving his verdict on the Springboks’ narrow victory over France in their thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash at a hostile Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris.
ALSO READ: Springboks v France: Antonie Classen’s view
Antonie Claasen: Ben O’Keeffe reffed the game ‘fairly both ways’
Former France flanker Classen thought the 34-year-old New Zealand referee was ‘fair’ to both sides, but the difference was South Africa adapted better.
“[O’Keeffe] blew the game the same for both sides. They [France players, coaches and fans] are speaking a lot about the ref, that he wasn’t good enough. I thought he blew fairly both ways. However, I feel the quarter-finals have been handled differently, with the officials letting the small things go,” he told The South African.
France captain Antoine Dupont and his head coach Fabien Galthié criticised O’Keeffe’s handling of the epic clash, and many French supporters took to social media to vent their anger.
ALSO READ: France disapproves quarter-final refereeing
Classen: Springboks ‘adapted better’ to O’Keeffe than France
“I think South Africa adapted better to the ref than the French,” Claasen added.
“As a player, playing at the highest level, you know how to push the limits and what you can and can’t get away with. South Africa’s experience proved the difference.
ALSO READ: The one thing that surprised Rassie Erasmus against France
“The French started with a bang. They came out the gates, fired and pumped up. South Africa looked rattled in the beginning. France put the Boks under pressure, and they began to drop passes, but the Springboks have the experience of big games.
“You could see the Boks have won a World Cup, the way they closed out the game. South Africa adapted better, and at the end of the day, their experience proved decisive.”
