Jaco Peyper gives the 'facts' about controversial decision to disallow Irish try

Former Test referee Jaco Peyper believes Ireland can have no complaints over their controversially disallowed try in Saturday's defeat to South Africa in Pretoria.

The world champions picked up a first win over Ireland since 2016 with a 27-20 win, but the game swung on a major TMO intervention after it looked like James Lowe had scored for Ireland in the second half.

The Leinster wing sprinted clear to dive over in the corner after a turnover in midfield, which looked like it had drawn Ireland level at 13-13, and given them a chance at a conversion to take the lead with 23 minutes to play.

However, the try was chalked off by referee Luke Pearce after an intervention from his TMO Ben Whitehouse, who spotted hooker Rónan Kelleher off his feet and rolling the ball back on Ireland's side with his foot.

The fact that the try was ruled out for a technical offence at a ruck, rather than for foul play or a knock-on, was the first bone of contention, but Peyper said the officiating team have to take a cold approach.

"Well, it's pretty simple, when it goes onto the screen and it's a TMO decision, it's got to be factual based," added the South African former referee (below), who also happens to be part of the Springboks coaching team, under the official title of National Laws Advisor.

"Factually, the player is off his feet and he turns over possession. Sometimes you don't want to step in touch but you're in touch. Sometimes you don't want to make that turnover when you're off you're feet but you still do it, even though you don't mean it.

"Factually: off his feet, turnover made. So try can't be scored.

"I think if it's a technical infringement, but if it's a player making a decision to go off his feet, I think that's under a cynical