Ireland have beaten South Africa at the World Cup this evening, with a tense 13-8 win in Paris at the Stade de France.
Not only have Ireland defeated their main group rivals, but they have done so with no apparent injuries to the side.
However, there were some nervy moments in the game with Garry Ringrose having to go off for a HIA, Johnny Sexton receiving treatment, and Josh van der Flier dislocating a finger early in the game, which he had popped back in before continuing.
The niggle in his hand could have been made even worse in the second-half when replacement South Africa prop Ox Nche stepped on his hand while van der Flier was caught in a ruck.
While it is unclear from the footage whether it was intentional or not, Bundee Aki felt that it was and brought the issue to the referee.
"He stood on his fingers, on purpose.....It's dangerous" said Aki to referee Ben O'Keefe. O'Keeffe said he hadn't seen anything.
Ireland vs South Africa: Josh van der Flier Hand Stamp - Intentional Or Not?
— Derf (@DerfDvx) September 23, 2023
After the Nche incident, Bundee Aki said to referee Ben O'Keeffe: "He stood on his fingers, on purpose". O'Keeffe says he hadn't seen in. Aki said: "It's dangerous"
Van der Flier had earlier had a dislocated finger on his right hand put back into place pic.twitter.com/IRk9ocNINF
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) September 24, 2023
READ HERE: O'Driscoll Sounds Big Note Of Caution As Ireland's World Cup Path Becomes Clearer
“I wasn’t aware of a stamping. I’m not aware if there was a stamping on not," said Ireland's scrum coach John Fogarty in this morning's press conference.
“I’m sure World Rugby will be looking across everything, referees will be looking across everything,
"At the moment in time, I’m sure there is if we needed to. I haven’t heard anything from our end. The disciplinary board will look at it. I’m sure World Rugby are all over those bits.”
