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South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick contends that the reigning champions have faced unjust treatment following red-card episodes during their victories against France and Italy.

Disciplinary Actions Provoke Debate

Lood de Jager was handed a four-match ban after receiving a red card for a high tackle on French back player Thomas Ramos in Paris, while Mostert received a immediate dismissal for a high challenge on the Italian team's Paolo Garbisi in Turin.

Mostert will undergo a international rugby governing body disciplinary hearing in the coming days, with Stick stating that the title holders have appealed against De Jager's ban.

"Every week we are having players suspended and it's unfortunate," Stick told media in Dublin before South Africa's international match against the Irish team on Saturday.

Growing Concerns About Fair Treatment

He continued: "I prefer not to make statements and then end up also facing suspension like Rassie [Erasmus, head coach] in the previous instances.

"We've never talked bad about opposing sides. We consistently try and play in a good spirit, and hopefully things can just be between the four lines. Do you believe we are treated fairly? In my opinion so."

Stick also mentioned recent bans for South Africa internationals Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels while representing Sharks and Bulls in the domestic competition.

• Outside back Mapimpi received a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Ulster's Michael Lowry on October 18th
• Front-rower Wessels is completing an eight-match ban - decreased from nine - for an alleged inappropriate contact on the provincial team's Josh Murphy

Pattern of Suspensions Raises Questions

"When examining at the recent four red cards with our players - we had Makazole Mapimpi banned, who is not with the squad at the present time," said Stick.

"This player is on 47 international appearances, missed out on a international trip to reach to the 50th. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, a youngster, also missed out. Suspended.

"Lood de Jager, which I feel after the recent match and everything that I've seen, even the Fijian team and the French game, the ruck clearances that were present, the Irish game against Australia, situations that were even worse than what those guys have been banned for.

"Then for them they're suspended, but other players will come back and participate in upcoming matches. Surely in some way, this situation is unjust.

"In my view we merit this as a team. We're doing everything in our capabilities to make sure that we send the right message when it comes to how we approach the game."

Physical Nature of Rugby

Mostert was dismissed in the early stages against the Italian team, a match the Springboks won 32-14.

"When examining at the actions of Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager the prior match, he has followed all protocols by the book," commented backs coach Stick.

"His only error was just maybe the contact was here [chest] but it resulted in the head area. I don't understand how does that become permanent red card.

"In our view as technical staff, we still have to put in effort because we're coaching these guys. We can see that they're physically imposing. They attempt to do everything by the book, but because the sport is a contact sport, occasionally you cannot execute flawlessly.

"When officials to declare the tackle was 'never legal', it's disappointing."

Refereeing Decisions Under Scrutiny

Stick also claimed the vast majority of the decisions against the Italian side did not go South Africa's way.

"Probably about twenty-one rulings that were meant to be called in the opening period or probably the initial three quarters, 20 of them went against us.

"Not due of the referee. Unfortunately he has to respect the communications from his team outside.

"Frustrated with it, but once again, I sympathize with the Italian team and I want to apologise with how things turned out, because they've got a good coaching staff and then their players were also prepared for the match, but for external factors to happen like that, I believe they deserve what they've got in that contest."