Bok fans’ love-hate relationship with ref Poite set to continue in Bloem
THE Springboks fans’ love-hate relationship with French referee Romain Poite looks set to continue in the second Test against England in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
In a city with the nickname, “The City of Roses”, Bok supporters can only hope that Poite will emerge from the match smelling of roses after his controversial past with South African teams.
Poite’s decisions will be crucial in the second of a three-Test series – the Frenchman is still remembered for causing Bok fans’ blood pressure to rise when he gave Bismarck du Plessis a yellow card against the All Blacks in Auckland in 2013, after what was deemed a legal tackle on Dan Carter. Strangely Poite has not had any problems with the Boks or their supporters since then and his refereeing of South Africa’s games has been fair.
Of the nine Tests they have won five and lost four when he has been in charge. Two of those victories came in Springbok midyear Tests – winning 30-17 against Scotland in 2013 and 38-16 when they met Wales a year later.
Saturday’s Test officials are: Poite (France), Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and TMO Simon McDowell (Ireland). – African News Agency (ANA)