Springboks coaching staff member Mzwandile Stick contends that the world champions have faced inequitable treatment following red-card occurrences during their successes against the French team and Italy.
Suspension Decisions Provoke Controversy
Lood de Jager received a four-match ban after receiving a red card for a high tackle on French full-back Thomas Ramos in the French capital, while Mostert received a immediate dismissal for a shoulder-to-head contact on Italy's Paolo Garbisi in the Italian city.
Mostert will undergo a World Rugby disciplinary hearing this week, with Stick stating that the title holders have lodged an appeal against De Jager's ban.
"Each week we are having players suspended and it's sad," Stick informed journalists in the Irish capital before the Springboks' Test against the Irish team on Saturday.
Growing Concerns About Fair Treatment
He stated: "I prefer not to make statements and then wind up also facing suspension like Rassie [Erasmus, head coach] in the past.
"We have never talked bad about other teams. We consistently try and compete in a good spirit, and ideally things can just be between the four lines. Are we treated fairly? I don't think so."
Stick also pointed to recently imposed bans for Springbok players Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels while representing their club teams in the domestic competition.
- Winger Mapimpi was given a five-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Ulster's Michael Lowry on 18 October
- Forward Wessels is completing an eight-match ban - reduced from nine games - for an reported inappropriate contact on Connacht's Josh Murphy
Series of Bans Creates Doubts
"When examining at the past four red cards with our players - we had Makazole Mapimpi suspended, who is not on tour at the present time," said Stick.
"This player is on 47 international appearances, missed out on a international trip to make it to the 50th. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, a youngster, also missed out. Suspended.
"Lood de Jager, which I feel after this weekend and all that I've seen, even the Fijian team and the France game, the clean-outs that were present, the Ireland game against Australia, incidents that were even worse than what these players have been banned for.
"Then for them they're banned, but other players will return and play this week. Certainly in some way, this is unjust.
"In my view we deserve this as a team. We're doing everything in our powers to ensure that we convey the appropriate signal when it comes to how we play the game."
Contact Elements of Rugby
Mostert was sent off in the early stages against the Italian team, a contest the Springboks won 32-14.
"When examining at the conduct of Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager the previous week, he has done everything by the book," added assistant coach Stick.
"His sole mistake was just perhaps the contact was in this area [chest] but it resulted in the head. It's unclear how this become permanent red card.
"In our view as coaches, we still have to work hard because we're coaching these players. We can observe that they're physically imposing. They try to do everything by the rules, but because the sport is a contact sport, sometimes you cannot execute perfect.
"When officials to declare the challenge was 'always illegal', it's disappointing."
Match Officiating Under Scrutiny
Stick also claimed the majority of the rulings against the Italian side did not go South Africa's way.
"Approximately about twenty-one rulings that were supposed to be called in the first half or probably the first 45 minutes, 20 of them were against us.
"Not because of the referee. Regrettably he has to follow the comms from his support staff off the field.
"Frustrated with it, but once again, I sympathize with Italy and I would like to apologise with how events unfolded, because they've got a good coaching staff and then their squad members were also prepared for the game, but for other things to happen like that, I believe they deserve what they've received in that game."
