It was always going to be a World Cup in which discipline would be crucial with a zero tolerance on head high tackles which lacked mitigating factors and a bunker system which meant referees did not have to be rushed into a decision.
Only one quarter of the first 32 matches ended without a card being shown to a player on either side. Ireland’s victory over South Africa was one, impressively so given the sustained physical onslaught from the off with both sides throwing everything at each other.
Four of the cardless games involved the Springboks who were one of only two teams before yesterday...
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