The Springboks say they have no objection to French referee Romain Poite taking charge of the first rugby test against Wales in Durban on Saturday.
Poite was the man responsible for handing Bismarck du Plessis two controversial yellow cards and a subsequent sending off in a key Rugby Championship match against New Zealand last year.
The IRB even publicly censured Poite after the incident, though the Frenchman has since returned to international rugby and is widely acknowledged to have improved to the point that he is now regarded as one of the best referees in the game.
“We have no problem with Poite blowing the game on Saturday. In fact, we welcome it as he has become one of the best referees,” said South Africa defence coach John McFarland.
“We’ve had him again since New Zealand last year, and I think that the game that he refereed in the recent Six Nations between England and Wales was recognised as the showpiece of that tournament. So there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Wales are also quite happy to have Poite take control of the Kings Park game after their experience with him during the Six Nations.
“He refereed us against England and since that game the channels of communication and discussions have been positive,” said Robin McBryde, the Wales forwards coach.
