Four match ban for Lood de Jager

November 12, 2025
2384
Ultimate Rugby

Springbok lock Lood de Jager has been suspended for four matches following his red card during South Africa’s 32-17 victory over France in Paris last weekend.

The 32-year-old was sent off in the 40th minute by referee Angus Gardner after his shoulder made direct contact with the head of French full-back Thomas Ramos.

An independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Jennifer Donovan of Ireland and including Val Toma of Romania and Donal Courtney of Ireland, reviewed the incident and confirmed that the red card was justified under Law 9.16 — which covers charging or knocking down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.

Mood de Jager disciplinary outcome pic.twitter.com/BtRn6PwMZU
— Mike Pearce Rugby (@MPsportsdragon) November 11, 2025

Under World Rugby’s disciplinary guidelines, the mid-range entry point for this type of offence carries a six-match suspension. However, the committee took mitigating factors into account — including de Jager’s clean disciplinary record and early admission of guilt — and reduced the sanction by two matches, resulting in a four-match ban.

The suspension rules de Jager out of South Africa’s remaining Nations Series fixtures against Italy, Ireland and Wales. He will also miss one club appearance in Japan’s League One for his side, the Saitama Wild Knights.

There is, however, a possibility that the final match of the suspension could be waived if de Jager completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme — an educational process designed to improve tackle technique and promote player safety.

In summary:

De Jager received a red card for shoulder-to-head contact in the 40th minute against France.
The independent panel upheld the red card and issued a four-match suspension, reduced from the standard six.
The ban covers three international Tests and one club match, with the potential for reduction through the intervention programme.

Here are the fixtures Lood de Jager will miss due to his four-match suspension: