Nigel Owens, who handled the Vodacom Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and All Blacks in Soweto earlier this year, has been handed the whistle for the opening Test of the Boks’ November Tour when they face Ireland at the opening of the brand new Aviva Stadium in Dublin.The Boks have won three out of the five Tests they have played under Owens, who hails from Wales.

The International Rugby Board has announced the Match Official appointments for the schedule of international matches to be played between October 30 and December 4, 2010.

The appointments were made by the IRB Match Official Selection Committee at its meeting in Dublin last weekend after a comprehensive review of international referee, assistant referee and television match official performances during the June internationals and recent Vodacom Tri-Nations.

The IRB International Referee Panel features the return of Steve Walsh (Australia) after a two-year absence. Walsh will referee his first Tier One match since February 2008 when the Boks face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on November 13.

The Boks’ three other games on the tour will be handled by experienced Australian Stuart Dickinson (on 20 Nov against Scotland in Edinburgh), Ireland’s George Clancy (on 27 Nov against England at Twickenham) and Pascal Gauzere from France (against the Barbarians at Twickenham on 4 Dec).

“It is good to see Steve Walsh return to the International Referee Panel, while we are delighted to welcome Francisco Pastrana to the Assistant Referee Panel, having performed so well at the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina this year,” said IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien.

“Both have impressed the selectors and deserve their reward, and Pastrana’s selection reinforces the continued role of the development pathway created via the IRB Age Grade Championships and Sevens World Series in preparing referees for the Test arena.”

Furthermore, South Africa’s top referees have also been handed a number of appointments.

Craig Joubert will be in charge of England vs Australia and is AR in the Test between Ireland and New Zealand.

Mark Lawrence will referee twice in November – Uruguay vs Romania (RWC qualifier) in Montevideo and Ireland vs Argentina in Dublin.

Marius Jonker will be the referee when Ireland take on the All Blacks in Dublin and is AR in the game between Scotland and Samoa in Edinburgh.

Jonathan Kaplan is in charge when France take on Argentina in Paris and has been appointed as AR in when Wales host New Zealand.