Nigel Owens has delivered a controversial verdict on a key moment in the Springboks' recent triumph over Scotland, arguing that Evan Roos's second try should have been disallowed. The incident occurred immediately after Embrose Papier's opening score had given South Africa a 7-0 lead.
Cobus Wiese collected Scotland's restart and was lifted into the air by Boan Venter. Rather than immediately returning Wiese to ground, Venter carried the lock forward several metres above his shoulders before releasing him. With Scotland unable to engage—World Rugby laws prohibit tackling a player in the air or the teammate supporting him—Wiese broke clear and offloaded to Paul de Villiers. A few phases later, Roos touched down to extend the lead to 14-0.
Speaking on World Rugby's Whistle Watch, Owens acknowledged the action was not technically obstruction but ruled it an infringement nonetheless. "This is a player in the air with a ball, you cannot touch him and you can't touch the guys who's supporting him in the air," he explained. "It is an action that prevents the defence from defending this because the player with the ball is in the air and being carried forward."
Owens concluded that Venter and Wiese should have been penalised, with the try scrubbed off. The score stood in the match officials' judgement on the day, contributing to the Springboks' 42-28 victory. The incident has sparked debate across social media, with opinion divided on whether Venter's powerful carry constituted an illegal action or simply clever play in the moment.