Referee Karl Dickson has been criticised for telling Vodacom Bulls hooker Akker van der Merwe when to “break away” from the back of a maul against Pau.
Van der Merwe scored seconds later, sparking criticism on social media.
Former England flyhalf Andy Goode questioned whether the English referee had crossed the line from officiating into assisting during the Investec Champions Cup clash in France, which the Bulls won 26-24.
“What in the snakes is this!” Goode wrote on X while sharing a clip of the incident. “Karl Dickson refereeing, coaching and try assisting at the same time?!”
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Several rugby fans argued that Dickson’s intervention gave the Bulls an unfair advantage in a critical scoring situation.
One wrote: “Ref shouldn’t be making any physical contact with a player which would enhance their situational awareness. If it’s not a law then maybe it needs to be one. It’s common sense – assisting in the lineout next?”
Try assist for …. The ref
🫣. Spotted the space well !!! pic.twitter.com/PzdJTSiiqa
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) January 16, 2026
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