‘Very serious’ World Rugby investigation expected as Springboks accused

Former Australia internationals Michael Hooper and Morgan Turinui expect World Rugby to launch a serious investigation into South Africa following sideline substitution confusion during Australia's 42-38 victory in Perth. The incident involved lock Eben Etzebeth, who was replaced by Franco Mostert despite head coach Rassie Erasmus having already emptied his eight-man bench earlier in the match.

Pundits accused the Springboks of attempting to exploit head injury assessment (HIA) protocols to make an otherwise illegal substitution. Erasmus denied any intentional rule manipulation, stating the sideline controversy was caused by genuine miscommunication over whether Etzebeth's neck injury was designated as an HIA.