After the match, Muir said, "We knew how match time had elapsed when Bismarck came off. We went to fetch him quickly from where he had received stitches.
"According to the assistant referees and the fourth referee there was sufficient time for him to return.
"But the official timekeepers said we had taken longer than the permitted period of 15 minutes.
"Bismarck could not go back on the field at that time because play was in progress. He stood next to the ground while play was continuing.
"To me it was pedantic. That is something that happens when our teams play abroad. We don't need it in South African rugby.
"I don't say it was done deliberately but I say it was petty. The game does not need that," Muir said.
Jonathan Patricos, the match doctor, says there was poor communication between the official timekeepers and the match officials on the ground.
"I fetched Bismark in the tunnel when there was still a minute and a half for him to return," Patricios said.
"The Sharks' manager next to the field and the officials at the table agreed.
"However, the timekeepers informed the referee that Bismarck had been off for longer than 15 minutes and Lawrence said he was not permitted to return."
