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Cape Town - South Africa’s Lesego “Pro” Legoete says he was honoured to referee the second Test between the Deafboks and Wales Deaf.
The match was played at Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria on Wednesday, August 12. It was the second of a two-Test series and won by the Welsh 65-8.
The Welsh, who are the best organised deaf team in international rugby, had won the first Test 48-3 and thus won the series 2-0.
For the Deafboks the try by Leon Willemans just before the end of the match was the first try scored by the Deafboks in an official Test.
Speaking of refereeing the match, Legoete the SA Rugby referees website: "This was a huge honour. This is where one realises how some of us assume or see people with disabilities as not being capable. This match proved that these players are just as skilful, dedicated and hard-working and have the same passion to perform as more able players.
"As a referee, it is hard work - communication for one and management and patience with loads of empathy. The players know when they have done wrong/infringed and they constantly look at the referee for affirmation. Referees also need to be smart and adjust. Players react on signals, and so the referee needs to be clear in what he does - scrums are the most difficult to conduct, fortunately the players are easily adaptable.
"Signalling for scrums is the same, except that signalling is done with the hands from below the front rows so that the players can clearly see the signals - crouch: open hand, palm up. Bind: closed hand. Set: withdrawing the closed hand."
