Share

Peyper to ref first Rugby Championship game

Cape Town - South Africa’s Jaco Peyper will blow the first whistle in this year’s Rugby Championship when he takes charge of the Australia v New Zealand game in Sydney on August 20, with a total of nine officials having been appointed to matches this year.

The 36-year-old veteran of 31 Test matches is one of three referees to have received two appointments in this year’s championship with the others being Jérôme Garcès of France and England’s Wayne Barnes. A fourth referee, Nigel Owens of Wales, will referee one game in the championship and another match between Australian and New Zealand for the Bledisloe Cup.

Two referees - Angus Gardner of Australia and Mathieu Raynal of France - will take charge of their first Rugby Championship matches.

Following his first meeting as World Rugby Match Official Selection Committee Chairperson, Anthony Buchanan commented: “With less than a year gone since Rugby World Cup, now is the time to develop fresh talent as we start to build towards RWC 2019 in Japan. Angus performed well in his debut Six Nations match this year and also in June when he refereed South Africa v Ireland in Johannesburg so his appointment to a Rugby Championship game is on merit and very pleasing for us.

“Likewise, Mathieu did well in the first South Africa v Ireland Test in Cape Town so he also deserves his chance. At the moment, we need to be providing the best referees for the best games while also ensuring that when Rugby World Cup 2019 comes around we will have an established group of top-class, in-form officials with the necessary experience to perform at the highest level under pressure. Our focus continues to be clear and consistent decision-making and the highest standards of physical conditioning.”

The selection system allows for movement in and out of the panel based on form and rewards the top performers and young referees who have graduated through the performance pathway. Every performance is closely scrutinised and reviewed to ensure accountability. In addition, there is regular consultation with coaches with their feedback helping to inform selection decisions.

2016 Rugby Championship match official appointments:

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE