Watch: 'Red card all day long' - PSTD sent off for head charge

Springboks loose forward Pieter Steph du Toit has been sensationally sent off for charging head-first into France centre Jonathan Danty at the Stade Velodrome.

The incident came just 15 minutes into the contest, when Danty sitting at the base of ruck, was struck by the head of Du Toit.

The incident was picked up on the big screen and immediately reverted to the TMO. Referee Wayne Barnes after the shortest of conversations didn’t hesitate to send off the former World Rugby Player of the Year.

A clearly distraught Du Toit made his way off the pitch with his head in his hands. Danty left the field for a HIA.

Pieter-Steph du Toit's red card#FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/iKMlCpAgy5

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 12, 2022

Former Scotland second row Jim Hamilton posted: “Lost his head for a spilt second and nearly took Danty’s off. Clear red. Messy.”

Lost his head for a spilt second and nearly took Danty’s off. Clear red. Messy. #FRAvRSA

— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) November 12, 2022

‘Red card all day long’ wrote former England hooker Brian Moore.

Red card all day long.

— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) November 12, 2022

Alex Corbisiero said the cared was a good argument for a 20-minute red card rule being introduced: “Makes me lean further to the 20 mins Red Card rule, right call from ref but stains the biggest spectacle, missing the final is deterrent enough for me to allow the change.”

Makes me lean further to the 20 mins Red Card rule, right call from ref but stains the biggest spectacle, missing the final is deterrent enough for me to allow the change. #RugbyOnNBC

— Alex Corbisiero (@AlexCorbs) November 12, 2022

Others blamed Kwagga Smith for appearing to push PSDT into Danty. “I had thought PSDT was unlucky after colliding with a team-mate on the way into the contact area, but after seeing Kwagga Smith push him into the contact it’s a deserved red. So dangerous.”

I had thought PSDT was unlucky after colliding with a team-mate on the way into the contact area, but after seeing Kwagga Smith push him into the contact it’s a deserved red.

So dangerous. #FRAvRSA https://t.co/Lvxh9Exk0K

— Cardiff Rugby Life (@CardiffRugbyWeb) November 12, 2022

“The stupidity alone deserves a red,” wrote another poster. “How do SH players in particular (and coaches) not understand this. Its been years now – years!!”

The stupidity alone deserves a red. How do SH players in particular (and coaches) not understand this. Its been years now – years!! #FRAvRSA

— Karl Cleere ???? (@karlcleere) November 12, 2022

The card put South Africa under huge pressure, although the depleted Springboks struck back with a try for captain Siya Kolisi.