HOLDING THE CARDS: Right side of the law — ref trends that bode well for the Boks
The New Zealand media have questioned recent referee appointments, implying that the Springboks will go into the Greatest Rivalry Tests holding an unfair advantage – but the evidence suggests that any edge has been hard-earned over several seasons.
Recent referee appointments ahead of high-profile Rugby World Cup rivalries have drawn scrutiny from New Zealand media, with some questioning whether these selections will grant the Springboks an unfair advantage. However, history suggests the edge may have been earned through hard work. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick urged referee Jérôme Garcès to treat both teams equally and avoid preconceived notions of the All Blacks' dominance.
When Stick's comments reached Hansen, the All Blacks coach accused the Boks of trying to influence officials and diminish New Zealand's strengths. Now, the tables have turned. The Boks are now considered the stronger team in the rivalry, having recently won back-to-back World Cups and 12 straight Tests. Referees Carley, Amashukeli, Gardner, and Dickson have overseen 23 of the Springboks' 97 Tests since 2018.
While their winning ratios vary, the Boks have consistently benefited from the officials' tendencies to reward their dominance at the scrum and maul.
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