Springboks deftly dodge raging Owen Farrell debate: 'World Rugby trying to keep game clean'

Anyone hoping for some Springbok insights into the ongoing Owen Farrell red card drama would've been left disappointed as the world champions played back any questioning on the matter with a proverbial straight bat.

South Africa's interest in the saga - where the England captain was cleared by a Six Nations-facilitated independent judicial committee before World Rugby decided to appeal the decision - is nothing more than a thoroughly indirect one.

However, it remains relevant given the wide-held sentiment that the Boks continue to draw the short straw when it comes to disciplinary hearings.

The Six Nations, which oversees disciplinary procedures for warm-up matches involving leading European countries, said on Friday that Farrell's new hearing would be held on Tuesday.

Though there's consensus that if the flyhalf is indeed not sanctioned, a "dangerous" precedent would be set.

Legendary retired arbiter Nigel Owens is the latest observer to have waded into the debate, noting in his column for WalesOnline: "Quite simply, if we don't deal with actions like this as a red card offence, then the game is going to be in big trouble moving forward."

Mzwandile Stick, Springbok assistant coach, however, was phlegmatic in merely stating that there's a sincere effort from World Rugby, the global governing body, to keep player welfare at the top of its agenda.  

"I don't think it's my space to comment on this matter and the other teams," he said on Friday.

"One thing I know for sure is that World Rugby is trying to keep the game clean and that's what matters. But whatever happens on the other side, it's not my place. It's not my focus area, I'm here to help the players."

Stick's measured if somewhat stony response was in stark contrast to