Controversial French referee to officiate Springboks-All Blacks
On Saturday, the Springboks and All Blacks will renew their rivalry as they go head-to-head in the Rugby Championship, with kick off at 09:05 (SA time). As always, there is sure to be plenty of focus on the quality of officiating, with most Springbok fans having been pretty pleased last week with the manner in which […]
On Saturday, the Springboks and All Blacks will renew their rivalry as they go head-to-head in the Rugby Championship, with kick off at 09:05 (SA time).
As always, there is sure to be plenty of focus on the quality of officiating, with most Springbok fans having been pretty pleased last week with the manner in which New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe controlled proceedings against Australia.
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However, it may be a slightly more nervy affair as South African fans take note that French referee Mathieu Raynal will take charge of Saturday’s Test in Auckland, while he will also be assisted by another countryman, Pierre Brousset.
The Springboks have historically endured some pain at the hands of French officials, with Raynal having in fact made headlines last year for his controversial decision to penalise Australia for taking to long to take a penalty kick to touch, handing New Zealand a massive get out of jail free card that they duly cashed in on for a 39-37 Bledisloe Cup victory.
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Raynal is known for his meticulous – some might say pedantic – style of officiating to the letter of the law, and so both the Springboks and All Blacks will need to ensure their discipline and knowledge of the laws is spot on.
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Australian Angus Gardner will serve as the other assistant referee in Auckland, while Wales’ Ben Whitehouse will be in the TMO box.
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REFEREES FOR THE SPRINGBOKS’ RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2023
| Australia v Argentina CommBank Stadium, Sydney Saturday, 15 July, 2023 |
Ref: Jaco Peyper (SARU) Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman (NZR) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU) |
| New Zealand v South Africa Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland Saturday, 15 July, 2023 |
Ref: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| Australia v New Zealand Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Saturday, 29 July, 2023 |
Ref: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: Tom Foley (RFU) |
| South Africa v Argentina Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Saturday, 29 July, 2023 |
Ref: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU) TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU) |
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HERE IS HOW THE TEAMS WILL LINE UP:
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith; 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Braydon Ennor, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
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