Gardner under the spotlight as Springboks face All Blacks in second Test

We want your view on Angus Gardner’s performance as referee in the second Test between the Springboks and New Zealand on the Greatest Rivalry Tour.

Matches at this level place huge demands on the official in the middle. The pace is relentless, the pressure is intense and the atmosphere can make every decision feel even more significant. With the contest taking place in Cape Town, Gardner’s calls were certain to attract close attention throughout.

How do you think the Australian referee handled the occasion? Did he apply the laws consistently? Was he able to maintain the flow of the game, or were there decisions that caused concern?

This is your opportunity to rate the referee and contribute to the post-match discussion.

Give Gardner a score based on his display. Was he excellent, dependable or off the pace? Your assessment can help show how supporters viewed his influence on the contest.

Please support your rating with specific examples. You might focus on decisions at the scrum, interventions at the breakdown or incidents during general play. The strongest reviews will explain which moments shaped your opinion and why Gardner’s handling of them stood out.

Rugby debates are best when they are informed, balanced and respectful. A referee’s decisions can have an important bearing on the rhythm and direction of a match, but assessing an official’s performance requires more than simply agreeing or disagreeing with an individual call.

The aim is to examine how Gardner managed the wider demands of the Test: the speed of the match, the pressure surrounding the occasion and the need to make decisions in situations where every call can matter.

Now the action in Cape Town is over, the discussion is yours.

Rate the ref in the comments section below and tell us how you saw Angus Gardner’s performance in the Springboks’ second-Test meeting with New Zealand. Was he consistent across the match? Did he allow the contest to develop naturally? Were there moments that raised eyebrows?

Share your score and explain the key incidents behind it. Your views will help shape the post-match debate and provide a clearer picture of how much influence the official had on the contest.