New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe will referee Saturday’s World Cup semi-final between England and holders South Africa 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. 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,” Dupont said.
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 African winger crossed the try-line 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.
