England legend slams Rugby World Cup referee for 'winning game' for South Africa

22 October 2023 , 11:05

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Referee Ben O'Keefe (Image: David Ramos - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

England legend Lawrence Dallaglio has accused referee Ben O'Keeffe of 'winning the game' for South Africa as Steve Borthwick's side were narrowly beaten 16-15 in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

England led for the majority of the match, but South Africa snuck ahead after Handre Pollard kicked a late penalty in the 77th minute. And Dallaglio, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, felt the penalty decision was soft.

"I've got to say, not as a sore loser but independently, that's a questionable penalty that wins the game," Dallaglio said on ITV. "Ellis Genge goes down on one knee.

"Ben O'Keeffe is going to be the talking point because he's won them the game, rather than South Africa. I think England can feel heartbroken but South Africa deserved (to win) because, a bit like France, the quality in depth on the bench was enough to get them over the line."

Dallaglio's comments come after France captain Antoine Dupont criticised O'Keeffe's performance as the hosts were beaten 29-28 in their quarter-final clash against South Africa. "It's hard to talk about things because there is a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration," Dupont said.

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"There were a few clear things where the whistle wasn't blown. I don't want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing but I'm not sure the level of refereeing was up the level of the game today."

Borthwick, however, refused to criticise O'Keeffe over the late penalty. "Now is not the time to be talking about things like [scrum penalties], it's the time for overall reflections," the England coach said.

Following England's Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa, Lawrence Dallaglio claimed O'Keeffe "won them the game" (Getty Images)

"I'm not going to do a full analysis of the game now. That's for later in the week." Borthwick also said he was "disappointed but immensely proud" of his players, insisting there are plenty of positives for England to build on.

"We have a very smart group of players that are learning very quickly because we have had to do it very quickly," he added. "The opposition have had four years and we have had four months. That is why the players deserve enormous credit.

"I asked the players to approach the training differently and they have embraced that. In that 23-man squad, we have seven players aged 25 or younger. That is the most of any of the semi-finalists so we have a great blend of experience and young players. We are disappointed but immensely proud of these guys and we'll build going forward."

Matthew Cooper