New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe will referee Saturday’s World Cup semi-final between England and holders South Africa, World Rugby said on Tuesday, despite drawing criticism for his performance in the Springboks’ quarter-final against hosts France.
Australian Angus Gardner will referee the other semi-final between Argentina and New Zealand on Friday.
O’Keeffe was heavily criticised by France captain Antoine Dupont for his allegedly tolerant refereeing in the rucks in Sunday’s 29-28 South African win against Les Bleus.
“It’s hard to talk about things at the moment but there were a few clear things that should have been blown that weren’t blown,” Dupont said on Sunday.
The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times
Unbreakable, a cautionary tale about the heavy toll top-level rugby can take
Jacques Nienaber: ‘It was never the case that Rassie and I didn’t enjoy Munster or Ireland’
Joe Schmidt factor makes Australia game special for Ireland and Andy Farrell
“I don’t want to be a bad loser and complain about the refereeing, but I’m not sure it was up to the mark tonight.”
The French also slammed O’Keeffe after Cheslin Kolbe charged down Thomas Ramos’s conversion following Peato Mauvaka’s try when TV footage showed the South Africa winger crossed the tryline shortly before the kicker was in motion.
O’Keeffe and Gardner will referee their first World Cup semi-finals after South African Jaco Peyper was not considered because of an injury sustained during the quarter-final between Argentina and Wales.
