Here’s the referee for the Springboks vs Argentina match in Nelspruit
The Springboks will have six different referees for their six Rugby Championship games in 2024. Here’s who’s set to officiate next…
According to The South African website, six different referees will officiate the Springboks’ six Rugby Championship matches in 2024.
The world champion Springboks began their campaign with a resounding 33-7 win over Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with England’s Luke Pearce in charge of that encounter.
The two sides then did battle once again in Perth a week later where New Zealand’s Paul Williams had the whistle at the Optus Stadium.
The Springboks won that clash 30-12.
Ireland’s Andrew Brace refereed the Springboks’ first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 31 August, a match which saw the Springboks stage a come-from-behind 31-27 victory.
England’s Matt Carley took charge of the Springboks’ second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, 7 September, a match the home side won 18-12.
The Springboks’ most recent Test, a 29-28 defeat against Argentina in Santiago, was refereed by England’s Christophe Ridley.
Man in the middle
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe will be the man in the middle in the team’s closing match of the tournament against Los Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday, 28 September.
O’Keeffe will be assisted by compatriot James Doleman and Wales’ Craig Evans, while New Zealand’s Glenn Newman will be on TMO duty.
South Africa have a good record when being officiated by O’Keeffe having won eight of the 11 Tests the 35-year-old has taken charge of – including the only previous match against Argentina.
Two other Tests were lost (both against Ireland), while there was also one draw (against Australia).
No South African referees
As reported by The South African website, the absence of any South African referees in this year’s Rugby Championship was the big talking point when World Rugby announced the officials for this year’s tournament.
The 12 matches will be refereed by four England referees, three from New Zealand and one each from Australia, Italy, Ireland, France and Georgia.
In addition, there were no appointments for South Africans as assistant referees either.
The only South African who will be in action will be Marius Jonker who will be on TMO duty in two matches (neither featuring the Springboks of course).
SPRINGBOK RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIALS
| Australia v South Africa Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Saturday, 10 August | Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Hollie Davidson (SRU) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| Australia v South Africa Optus Stadium, Perth Saturday, 17 August | Referee: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Hollie Davidson (SRU) TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR) |
| South Africa v New Zealand Ellis Park, Johannesburg Saturday, 31 August | Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) |
| South Africa v New Zealand Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Saturday, 7 September | Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA) TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU) |
| Argentina v South Africa Estadio Unico Madre de Cludades, Santiago del Estero Saturday, 21 September | Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Matt Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU) |
| South Africa v Argentina Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela Saturday, 28 September | Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU) TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR) |
INITIAL SPRINGBOK SQUAD FOR THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
FORWARDS
Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
BACKS
Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)