Not a single South African among Rugby Championship's 12 referees

Not a single South African referee has made the 12-man cut for this year's Rugby Championship. The World Rugby match officials have been appointed for this year's competition, which runs from August 6 to September 24.

Following a busy schedule of Test matches across June and July, 12 referees will take charge of the matches within a team of 26 match officials, including assistant referees and television match officials.

What is surprising is that there is no Jaco Peyper. In fact, there are no South Africans among those 12 referees.

Marius van der Westhuizen has been appointed as the TMO for the Los Pumas v Wallabies clashes in Argentina.

Mike Adamson (Scotland), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) and James Doleman (New Zealand) will make their Championship debuts.

Adamson will become the first Scottish official to referee in the tournament since Jim Fleming in the 1999 Tri-Nations.

Mathieu Raynal (France) will referee in The Rugby Championship for first time since 2018.

World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chairman Graham Mourie said: “We have a group of very committed match officials who, like players, continually work on their game through a robust, team-driven 360 degree review process.

“As we move closer to France 2023, we are growing as a team and the focus continues to be on consistent officiating of the clear and obvious with a particular emphasis on safety, speed and space.”

Match officials for 2022 Rugby Championship

Saturday, August 6:

South Africa v New Zealand

(Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)

Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)

TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

Argentina v Australia

(Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza)

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Assistant referees:: Karl Dickson (RFU), Chris Busby (IRFU)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Saturday, August 13:

South Africa v New Zealand

(Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Christophe Ridley (RFU)

TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

Argentina v Australia

(Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan)

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (SRU), Chris Busby (IRFU)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Saturday, August 27:

New Zealand v Argentina

(Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

Assistant referees: Nic Berry (RA), Jordan Way (RA)

TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Australia v South Africa

(Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)

Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)

Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Tual Trainini (FFR)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Saturday, September 3:

New Zealand v Argentina

(Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)

Referee: Nic Berry (RA)

Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)

TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Australia v South Africa

(Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney)

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)

Assistant referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Tual Trainini (FFR)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)

Thursday, September 15:

Australia v New Zealand

(Docklands Stadium, Melbourne)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Saturday, September 17:

Argentina v South Africa

(José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires)

Referee: James Doleman (NZR)

Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (RA), Craig Evans (WRU)

TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

Saturday, September 24:

New Zealand v Australia

(Eden Park, Auckland)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (FFR), Pierre Brousset (FFR)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

South Africa v Argentina

(Kings Park, Durban)

Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)

Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (IRFU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)

TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)