While few could argue with South Africa’s status as worthy winners after their game against Ireland on Saturday evening, there has been quite a bit of discussion around the cards handed out during the clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland would receive no less than five cards over the course of the match, with four yellows added to James Ryan’s 20-minute red card. They would even be reduced to 12 men at one point.

South Africa were less harshly punished, with their only card coming in the closing moments when the result was already secured.

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Nigel Owens Explains Loophole That Saw Ireland Avoid Further Card Vs South Africa

Ireland may have received five cards against South Africa, but you could make an argument that they could have been given a couple more.

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They certainly seemed fortunate to avoid one when the Springboks were given a penalty try in the first half of the match. However, Nigel Owens has explained why that was the case.

Taking to social media, the Welshman summed up how Ireland managed to avoid a card on that occasion.

Referees will only issue YC for P try when they can identify the individual . So in this case as all front row were probably penalised then he was quite right not to issue a YC and just the P try

— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) November 24, 2025

Referees will only issue yellow card for penalty try when they can identify the individual.

So in this case as all front row were probably penalised then he was quite right not to issue a yellow card and just the penalty try.

It seems like the fact that no player stood out as the obvious culprit for this particular infringement saved on Ireland on this occasion.

Owens would also push back on suggestions that the team captain should be the one punished in such scenarios.

Mmm that’s not something I would endorse or do myself.

— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) November 24, 2025

South Africa are unmatched in world rugby when it comes to physically dominating the opposition, something that led to Ireland’s poor discipline in this game.

It is something that Andy Farrell’s men will to rectify over the next 18 months if they are to have any chance of competing with Rassie Erasmus’ side by the time the 2027 Rugby World Cup rolls around.

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