Barnes pays tribute to 'magnificent colleague' Peyper after retirement

Wayne Barnes has paid tribute to his "magnificent colleague" and great friend Jaco Peyper, who has joined him in retirement.

The South African announced last week that he has hung up his whistle at the age of 43, partly due to the Achilles injury he sustained at the Rugby World Cup last year and partly due to "growing business interests".

Barnes, who retired after taking charge of the World Cup final, shared a message on social media on Wednesday in response to Peyper's announcement, saying "Rugby's loss is his family's gain."

"Not many are aware of the closeness of international referees; we work in very testing environments together, travel, train and get know the families," Barnes wrote.

"Jaco has not only been a magnificent colleague, but him & Zenobia have become great friends.

"Rugby’s loss is his family’s gain."

Pepyer took charge of his 67th and final Test match in October in the World Cup quarter-final encounter between Wales and Argentina at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, but had to come off in the first half following his injury.

He has not since returned to refereeing, and shared this message last week after announcing his retirement:

“I literally grew up next to the rugby field as my dad was a coach, and later on I played and coached the game before I took up the opportunity to go into refereeing. There are always tough times at high-end refereeing, but since making my first-class debut 17 years ago rugby has only been good to me.

“It's been a great journey, I have made many wonderful friends and I've been fortunate enough to visit many fantastic places around the world. All things considered, now is perhaps the best time to step away from active refereeing to spend more time with my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters, as well as my growing business interests.

“There are many people I would like to thank and will do so personally, but I want to give a special word of thanks to the CEOs of SA Rugby for backing me, the support I’ve received from the High-Performance division, my fellow match officials and World Rugby management, and specifically the Springboks, whom I've worked with closely and who have helped me become a better referee.

“I’d love to say what a super opportunity refereeing is to be involved with the game you love, even though its perceived as such unforgiving job – I have made friends in all rugby playing countries and cultures and see some of the most awesome places whilst we called it work.

“Rugby is part of my life, and I have made wonderful friends around the world through my travels in the game, and although I’m closing the door on active refereeing, I would love nothing more than to stay involved in this wonderful game and plough back after what it's given me.”