No luck for Springboks lock Lood de Jager as France red-card suspension stands

Springbok lock Lood de Jager has lost his appeal against the four-match ban he received after being red-carded against France two weeks ago.

Springbok supporters would have got their hopes up regarding the lanky lock after his fellow Bok lock, Franco Mostert, had his red card from the Italy game retracted by a hearing, but lightning has not struck twice for the South Africans.

On Thursday evening, a statement from the Nations Series revealed that the independent Appeal Committee dismissed De Jager’s appeal against the finding that he committed an act of foul play, which merited a red card, and also against the suspension.

The 32-year-old received a four-match ban for foul play in his side’s 32-17 win over France on November 8.

De Jager was given a permanent red card by referee Angus Gardner after his shoulder made contact with Thomas Ramos’ head in the 40th minute of the match.

The lock subsequently lodged an appeal, but he has been unsuccessful, and the four-match suspension stands.

See below for the full Independent Disciplinary statement on Lood de Jager’s appeal decision.

South Africa No.5, Lood de Jager, appeared before an independent Appeal Committee last evening (Wednesday) via video link, having appealed against his initial sanction for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 in the match between South Africa vs France on Saturday, 8th November 2025.

The independent Appeal Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, joined by Roger Morris (Wales) and Becky Essex (England).

On review of the case that was presented to the Disciplinary Committee and having considered submissions advanced on behalf of the Appellant, the Appeal Committee dismissed the appeal against the finding that he committed an act of foul play, which merited a red card, and also against the suspension.