Dupont slams refereeing after loss to Boks: 'There are clear things that should have been whistled'

France captain Antoine Dupont criticised the refereeing after his side crashed out of the Rugby World Cup in a 29-28 defeat to South Africa in the quarter-finals.

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Scrumhalf Dupont said match official Ben O'Keeffe should have penalised the Springboks for slowing down French possession when the home side were attacking late during the game.

There were also contentious decisions including South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth's attempted intercept and flanker Kwagga Smith's turnover at a breakdown.

"I don't want to be the bitter person who complains about the referee because I lost the game," Dupont said.

"There's a lot of disappointment and frustration but we can't wait to see the footage again.

"There are clear things that should have been whistled.

"I don't think the refereeing was at the level of what was at stake today," he added.

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France head coach Fabien Galthie backed his skipper's opinion but chose not to single out New Zealand match official O'Keeffe.

"I understand the players' frustration," Galthie said.

"I understand there is lot of frustration, emotion, it's difficult to digest.

"I will accept it, as it's already happened, the decisions," he added.

France led by three points at half-time before South Africa introduced experienced half-backs Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk.

Etzebeth forced over the line, with French defenders practically hanging off him, for a crucial try in the final 20 minutes before Pollard kicked a conversion and a penalty.

"The refereeing doesn't take anything away from the South African performance," Dupont said.

"They