Joubert received the award at the annual course for top referees in South Africa, the SA Rugby Referees website reports.
Chairperson of the SA Rugby Referees' Society,
Steve Meintjes, made presentations to members who had achieved exceptionally.
The following awards were presented:
Life Membership
- Gabriel Pappas, the long-serving member of the Golden Lions Referees' Society, was made an honorary life member of the Association.
Ratel Awards were made for those who did something outstanding, for example making tough decisions and stuck to them, despite criticism.
Recipients of Ratel Awards
- Kobus Wessels, a referee on the sidelines who pointed out to the referee that there was an All Black on the field whose name was not on the team list.
- Stuart Berry for his obvious support of Jaco van Heerden when Van Heerden was refereeing his semifinal Currie Cup match between the Golden Lions and the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
- Marius van der Westhuizen and Willie Vos, referee and TMO when the Pumas played the Cheetahs and they correctly allowed a player in touch to knock the ball back in the field of play for a try to the Pumas.
Referees' Referee of the Year
Craig Joubert
Most improved Referee of the Year
Quinton Immelman
Referee with Exceptional Performance in 2014
Jaco van Heerden