Communication failure stops All Blacks-Springboks test for 8m 53s

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Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2026, 10:03am

Communication issues stopped the final test of the All Blacks’ tour against South Africa for nearly nine minutes.

Following a missed shot at goal from South Africa’s Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, referee Karl Dickson stopped the game as he lost communication with the TMO.

These problems were prevalent throughout the early stages of the match, with fans watching the game unable to hear the referee or his whistle.

The lack of communication stopped the match for eight minutes 53 seconds midway through the first half, with the officials unable to establish any contact throughout the stoppage.

The players broke into their huddles while the broadcast cut to people in the crowd dancing to Neil Diamond.

Highlights of the tries were shown twice to fill the time, while the commentators did their best to fill the air.

Communication issues stopped the fourth test between the Springboks and All Blacks for nearly nine minutes. Photo / Smartframe

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi could be seen gesturing to his players there was an issue with communications and pictures showed officials gathering on the sidelines fiddling with their earpieces and radios.

Eventually, play did resume after both teams agreed to play on without the use of the TMO.

Commentator Jeff McTainsh explained what the teams had agreed to and what would happen if a contentious decision had to be looked at.

“So the word is that both teams have agreed to play on,” McTainsh said.

“If there is a TMO decision that is relevant, there will be a phone call made down to an official on the side of the field who will then give the information to the AR that will then alert Karl Dickson that something needs to be looked at.

“So that’s how the game’s going to proceed from now until they fix the comms.”

As the match played on, it appeared communications had improved and the referee’s microphone could be heard much more clearly.