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Cape Town - Super Rugby fans have reacted to the appointment of Jaco Peyper to referee Saturday's Super Rugby final between the Lions and Crusaders at Ellis Park.
The decision is highly controversial given the calls this week for neutral referees to officiate Super Rugby play-off matches.
Last weekend, Peyper sin-binned Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett for what he deemed a professional foul. Replays suggested the decision was harsh, and the Lions turned a 29-22 deficit into a 39-29 lead while he was off the field.
Now, Peyper has been given the final.
The decision has caused a stir on social media. Here are some of the selected reactions we found on the News24 Facebook page.
Rod Coleman: I see nothing wrong with it. They used a NZ ref last year in NZ. The remarks like "shocking" comes from Stormers and other teams who don't want the Lions to win....thus hiding their own pathetic performance in the competition.
John Cronje: Now LIONS will definitely win! He helped them last weekend and he will again!! Shocking!!
Nsikelelo Mkhize: This doesn't make sense....
Margaret Cockcroft: Guys - can we just try to get behind our country's team? Crusaders are so strong. Will it really take a referee to call the game against them?
Laurie van Rooyen: I am sorry but this should never have been allowed!! They will have to give him a white stick to referee the game!!!!! The garden Dwarf cannot see through the grass, what a bad choice!!!
David Schroeter: I don't approve of this. They should have used a neutral ref.
Stefan Coetzer: The Lions don't need a ref to win. If all the supporters that bad mouth him were in his position on the field what would you do different? It's easy to sit and watch the game on tv and judge a guy try getting out there and reffing or even playing.
Tewie Wessels: Well done Jaco Peyper. You deserve it. You the No.1 Ref in the World. They would not have appointed you if there was a better Ref.
Ardu Claassens: If he's the best, then yes, but I think there will be extra pressure on himself to make sure every call he makes is right, otherwise he'll be ripped to pieces by NZ or SA fans. Maybe unwanted pressure.
Bongani Walter: When Jesus say yes, nobody can say no. It's our time to win it and nothing will stop us, even cry babies from KZN.
Daniel Lionel Shneier: Everyone seems to forget that no matter what the nationality the ref is, that they're all held to the same standards by SANZAR and the IRB. They can't be too biased out of respect to the fact that they risk losing their jobs.
Faldie Dramat: Why does Peyper not do the right thing? In the interest of the sport and the occasion - refuse to handle the match? Either way he is going to be blamed! I am a Stormer but feel the Lions can do us proud and I don't want people to say... Ya but the ref helped them!
Brendon Gray: Northern Hemisphere Referee Would Be The Better Option.
Dhirshan Gobind: The guy is only good on 'Peyper'.
