England No.8 Lawrence Dallaglio and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell have escaped punishment over incidents during different Rugby World Cup games over the weekend.

South Africa alleged Dallaglio punched winger Thinus Delport during Saturday's Pool C match in Perth, won 25-6 by England.

The incident left Delport with a cut above his eye.

O'Connell trampled Namibia lock Archie Graham during a second-half maul of Ireland's 64-7 win on Sunday.

South Africa and Namibia referred the two incidents to the citing commissioner, Scotland's Douglas Hunter, but he decided to take no action.

"Having had the opportunity to view the incident from all the available angles, the citing commissioner has, in this instance, decided that the threshold test as to whether or not the offence warranted a sending off was not reached and, as a consequence, no player involved in the incident will be cited and no further action will be taken," a statement from a World Cup spokesman said of the O'Connell incident.

Earlier, before learning the Dallaglio had escaped censure, South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli said "it would be disappointing if nothing happens".

"We've lost a player, who's not playing this week, he has lacerations above his eye which he's unhappy about that.

"But the final discretion lies with the system and the citing commissioner."

After the match at Subiaco Oval, Springboks halfback Joost van der Westhuizen said the former England captain blatantly punched Delport at the bottom of a ruck late in the second half.

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