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South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick contends that the world champions have faced unjust treatment following sending-off occurrences during their successes against the French team and Italy.

Disciplinary Actions Spark Controversy

Lood de Jager was handed a four-game ban after being sent off for a high tackle on France full-back Thomas Ramos in the French capital, while Mostert was shown a immediate dismissal for a high contact on Italy's Paolo Garbisi in the Italian city.

Mostert will undergo a international rugby governing body review process in the coming days, with Stick confirming that the world champions have lodged an appeal against De Jager's ban.

"Each week we are having players suspended and it's disappointing," Stick informed journalists in Dublin before South Africa's international match against Ireland on the weekend.

Increasing Worries About Equitable Officiating

He added: "I prefer not to say things and then wind up also facing suspension like Rassie [Erasmus, head coach] in the previous instances.

"We have never spoken negatively about opposing sides. We always try and play in a good spirit, and ideally things can just be between the four lines. Do you believe we are treated justly? In my opinion so."

Stick also referenced recently imposed suspensions for South Africa players Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels while playing for 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
• Forward Wessels is completing an eight-match ban - decreased from nine - for an alleged inappropriate contact on Connacht's Josh Murphy

Pattern of Suspensions Raises Questions

"If you look at the recent four sendings-off with our players - we had Makazole Mapimpi suspended, who is not with the squad at the present time," stated Stick.

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

"Lood de Jager, which I feel after the recent match and everything that I've observed, even the Fiji and the French game, the ruck clearances that were present, the Ireland game against Australia, situations that were even more serious than what those guys have been banned for.

"Yet for them they're suspended, but opposition players will come back and participate in upcoming matches. Certainly somewhere somehow, this situation is unjust.

"I don't think we merit this as a team. We're doing everything in our capabilities to ensure that we send the appropriate signal when it comes to how we approach the sport."

Physical Nature of the Sport

Mostert was dismissed in the 12th minute against Italy, a contest South Africa emerged victorious 32-14.

"If you look at the actions of Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager the prior match, he has done everything by the rules," commented assistant coach Stick.

"His sole error was just perhaps the contact was here [chest] but it resulted in the head area. I don't understand how does that become immediate dismissal.

"In our view as coaches, we still have to put in effort because we're working with these guys. We can see that they're nice and tall. They attempt to do everything by the book, but because rugby is a contact sport, sometimes you don't get it flawlessly.

"For them to declare the tackle was 'always illegal', it's disappointing."

Refereeing Decisions Under Scrutiny

Stick also claimed the majority of the decisions against the Italian side did not favor the Springboks.

"Probably about 21 decisions that were meant to be made in the opening period or probably the initial three quarters, twenty decisions were against us.

"Not because of the ref. Regrettably he has to respect the communications from his support staff off the field.

"Frustrated with it, but nevertheless, I sympathize with the Italian team and I would like 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 occur like that, I don't think they deserve what they've received in that game."