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Bloemfontein – Ever since Naas Botha scored all of Northern Transvaal’s points against Transvaal in a torrential downpour at Ellis Park in 1987, Craig Joubert has dreamed about carrying the whistle in a Currie Cup final.
Joubert (33) has been named reserve referee and television match official for a Currie Cup final, but believes after 20 Tests, 39 Super 14 matches, 57 Currie Cup games and 141 first-class matches he is ready to be carry the whistle on October 30.
“I’ve always had a special place for the Currie Cup since Naas’s performance (in the Blue Bulls’ 24-18 win),” said Joubert.
“To referee the final will be a special moment and something I have aspired to for a long time.”
He believes the fact that South Africa have four referees on the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) panel means that no-one can take their involvement in a Currie Cup final for granted.
“Our four is the most for any country. Kaplan is the world’s most experienced referee and has carried the whistle in more than 50 Tests. Lawrence has refereed in Super 14 and Currie Cup finals and Jonker has been appointed to his third Currie Cup semifinal – so any of them could also have been appointed to this year’s final. It’s a privilege and I cannot wait.”
Joubert said he never expected to be appointed to referee the Super 14 and Currie Cup finals in 2010.
“It’s two different tournaments and I believe it will prove to be a different experience. But hopefully I can put the experience that I gained in the Super 14 final to good use in the Currie Cup final between two great South African sides.”
Cobus Wessels and Christie du Preez have been appointed as Joubert’s assistant referees for the final.
Jonker, who is the reserve referee for the final, will carry the whistle in the semifinal between the Sharks and Blue Bulls in Durban.
Lawrence is the referee for the semifinal between Western Province and Free State in Cape Town.
“These guys put their hands up and I’m satisfied that the appointments were made on merit,” said South African Rugby Union referees manager André Watson.
He added that young referees such as Jason Jaftha, Stuart Berry, Sindile Mayende, Jaco Peyper, Lourens van der Merwe and Joey Salmans means that the future of South African refereeing is in good hands.
Bloemfontein – Ever since Naas Botha scored all of Northern Transvaal’s points against Transvaal in a torrential downpour at Ellis Park in 1987, Craig Joubert has dreamed about carrying the whistle in a Currie Cup final.
Joubert (33) has been named reserve referee and television match official for a Currie Cup final, but believes after 20 Tests, 39 Super 14 matches, 57 Currie Cup games and 141 first-class matches he is ready to be carry the whistle on October 30.
“I’ve always had a special place for the Currie Cup since Naas’s performance (in the Blue Bulls’ 24-18 win),” said Joubert.
“To referee the final will be a special moment and something I have aspired to for a long time.”
He believes the fact that South Africa have four referees on the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) panel means that no-one can take their involvement in a Currie Cup final for granted.
“Our four is the most for any country. Kaplan is the world’s most experienced referee and has carried the whistle in more than 50 Tests. Lawrence has refereed in Super 14 and Currie Cup finals and Jonker has been appointed to his third Currie Cup semifinal – so any of them could also have been appointed to this year’s final. It’s a privilege and I cannot wait.”
Joubert said he never expected to be appointed to referee the Super 14 and Currie Cup finals in 2010.
“It’s two different tournaments and I believe it will prove to be a different experience. But hopefully I can put the experience that I gained in the Super 14 final to good use in the Currie Cup final between two great South African sides.”
Cobus Wessels and Christie du Preez have been appointed as Joubert’s assistant referees for the final.
Jonker, who is the reserve referee for the final, will carry the whistle in the semifinal between the Sharks and Blue Bulls in Durban.
Lawrence is the referee for the semifinal between Western Province and Free State in Cape Town.
“These guys put their hands up and I’m satisfied that the appointments were made on merit,” said South African Rugby Union referees manager André Watson.
He added that young referees such as Jason Jaftha, Stuart Berry, Sindile Mayende, Jaco Peyper, Lourens van der Merwe and Joey Salmans means that the future of South African refereeing is in good hands.
