It’s still relatively quiet out there in the rugby world, but there’s still referees all over the world. The Rugby Championship kicks off with Ben O’Keeffe (pictured top right) whistling the opener in Johannesburg as the Wallabies play the Springboks. The All Blacks have headed to Cordoba as Argentina take the hosting rights for the opening weekend. Pierre Brousset (top left) has that referee appointment.
South African referees are supporting their growth by officiating an international u18s tournament with France, Georgia, Ireland and England sending squads to Paarl. We also domestic action there with the Currie cup and Women’s Premiership. Chante Olivier (bottom right) will referee the Griquas v Griffons tie. And finally, there’s women’s interprovincials in Ireland. Siobhan Daly (bottom left), who recently refereed in the Six Nations u20 Women’s Summer Series, is back on home soil as Leinster Women play Munster. Finally, there’s all your match officials across the full suite of NZ provincial rugby – the Heartlands competition joins NPC and Farah Palmer Cup for a new season.
Enjoy your rugby this weekend
Keith
The Rugby Championship 2025 – round 1
South Africa v Australia (in Johannesburg)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Argentina v New Zealand (in Cordoba)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Nic Berry (Aus) & Morne Ferreira (SA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (Aus)
U18 International Series (in Paarl, SA)
France v SA U18 ‘A’
Referee: Juan de Bod
Ireland v Georgia
Referee: Charlwin Darries
SA U18 v England
Referee: Caleb Hibbert
Ireland: Women’s Interprovincial Championship rd 2
Leinster v Munster
Referee: Siobhan Daly
Connacht v Ulster
Referee: John Purcell
South Africa: Carling Currie Cup Premier Division
Suzuki Griquas v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
Referee: Griffin Colby
ARs: Sean Muller & Daniel Canhenga
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni
Airlink Pumas v Fidelity ADT Lions
Referee: Christopher Allison
ARs: Hanru van Rooyen & Paul Mente
TMO: Archie Moko
Toyota Cheetahs v DHL Western Province
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
ARs: Sean Muller & Daniel Canhenga
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Vodacom Bulls
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson
ARs: Dylen November & Juan de Bod
TMO: Egon Seconds
SA: Women’s First Division
Griquas Women v Griffons Women
Referee: Chante Olivier
Limpopo Blue Bulls Women v SWD Eagirls
Referee: Stiaan Marx
Leopards Women v Valke Women
Referee: Ayanda Ngombane
New Zealand: Bunnings NPC – Round 3
Southland v Manawatu
Referee: Fraser Hannon
ARs: Sam Nicholson & Joshua Hamill
TMO: Cassie Watt
Northland v Tasman
Referee: Angus Mabey
ARs: Nathan Chestnut & Llew Smart
TMO: Duane Wells
Bay of Plenty v Canterbury
Referee: Mike Winter
ARs: Ryan Waite & Jaco Brouwer
TMO: Estelle Whaiapu
Auckland v Taranaki
Referee: Nick Hogan
ARs: Tim Oliff & Antony Petrie
TMO: Rob Harman
Hawke’s Bay v North Harbour
Referee: Todd Petrie
ARs: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri & Jamie Mather
TMO: Jono Bredin
Wellington v Otago
Referee: Stu Curran
ARs: Sean Curragh & Charlie Harris
TMO: Jared Clarke
Waikato v Counties Manukau
Referee: Marcus Playle
ARs: Ben Woolerton & Ben Brownlie
TMO: Aaron Paterson
NZ: Bunnings Heartland Championship – Round 1
Horowhenua Kapiti v Buller
Referee: Matt Astle
ARs: Al Paton & Sam Taylor
Poverty Bay v East Coast
Referee: Sam Fellows
ARs: Matt Smith & Keelyn Smith
West Coast v King Country
Referee: Will Todd
ARs: Colin van der Geest & Chris O’Malley
Thames Valley v Mid Canterbury
Referee: Ben Woolerton
ARs: Stu Watts & Ryan Rogers
Whanganui v North Otago
Referee: Will Johnston
ARs: Amon Rimene & Oliver Holst
Wairarapa Bush v South Canterbury
Referee: Stu Catley
ARs: Chris Jefferies & Ben Koch
NZ: Farah Palmer Cup
Premiership Round 2
Bay of Plenty v Manawatu
Referee: Ben Brownlie
ARs: Peter Morgan & Jake Ryan
Hawke’s Bay v Canterbury
Referee: Tiana Anderson
ARs: Brent Malone & Josh Strong
Waikato v Counties Manukau
Referee: Warwick Lahmert
ARs: Grant Stuart & Bradley Thomas
Championship Round 2
North Harbour v Taranaki
Referee: Hannah Russell
ARs: Scott McKenzie & Josh Kirby
Northland v Tasman
Referee: Sam Adam
ARs: Rob Rush & John Filia
Wellington v Otago
Referee: Matt McEwen
ARs: Ollie Michie & Ethan Jefferson
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