SANZAR has released the match officials for Week 1 of the new Vodacom Super Rugby tournament with Bryce Lawrence taking charge of the first ever Super Rugby match in a tournament with 15 teams.

South African Mark Lawrence will have the honour of officiating the Melbourne Rebels first ever Super Rugby match.

There are seven matches in the first week – two on Friday, four on Saturday and one on Sunday. The Stormers have a bye.

Friday, February 18:

Hurricanes v Highlanders, Wellington – 08:35
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Ref 1: Garratt Williamson
Assistant Ref 2: Glen Jackson
TMO: Mike Fraser

Rebels v Waratahs, Melbourne – 10:40
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant Ref 1: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant Ref 2: Nathan Pearce
TMO: Matt Goddard

Saturday, February 19:

Blues v Crusaders, Auckland – 08:35
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1: Jonathon White
Assistant Ref 2: Vinny Munro
TMO: Ben Skeen

Brumbies v Chiefs, Canberra – 10:40
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant Ref 1: Mark Lawrence
Assistant Ref 2: Angus Gardner
TMO: George Ayoub

Sharks v Cheetahs, Durban – 17:05
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant Ref 1: James Leckie
Assistant Ref 2: Cobus Wessels
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

Lions v Bulls, Johannesburg – 19:10
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant Ref 1: Craig Joubert
Assistant Ref 2: Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Johann Meuwesen

Sunday, February 20

Reds v Force, Brisbane – 08:40
Referee: Ian Smith
Assistant Ref 1: Stuart Dickinson
Assistant Ref 2: Damien Mitchelmore
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski