Top South African referees Marius Jonker and Mark Lawrence have been handed this weekend’s crucial Absa Currie Cup semifinals.
SuperSport
The South African Rugby Union have appointed two top-notch officiating teams to take charge of the playoff games, with Jonker getting the Durban pressure cooker between the Sharks and defending champion Bulls while Lawrence blows the whistle on the Western Province-Free State clash at Newlands.
The two other referees on the IRB international panel — Jonathan Kaplan and Craig Joubert — will officiate from the touchline as assistant referees in Durban and Cape Town respectively. In Durban, Kaplan is joined by Phillip Bosch on the sideline, while the television match official will be Johan Meeuwesen.
In Cape Town, Joubert has Cobus Wessels as his fellow assistant referee, with Shaun Veldsman taking the role of TMO for the game.
It can be speculated that either Kaplan — the world’s most experienced referee — or the up and coming Joubert is likely to take charge of the final on October 30. Joubert did a superb job in refereeing the Vodacom Super 14 final earlier this year.
Pro Legoete will take charge of the Division 1 final between the EP Kings and SWD Eagles in George with Joey Salmans and Reuben Rossouw on the flags.
Currie Cup semifinals
Sharks vs Blue Bulls at Absa Stadium Durban
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan, Phillip Bosch
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen
Western Province vs Free State Cheetahs at Newlands
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, Cobus Wessels
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman
Division 1 Final
South Western Districts Eagles vs Eastern Province Kings at Outeniqua Park, George
Referee: Pro Legoete
Assistant referees: Joey Salmans, Reuben Rossouw
Assessor: Gerrie Coetzee
Reserve referee: J Peyper
Under 21A Semifinals
Blue Bulls vs Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Quinton Immelman
Assistant referees: Rasta Rashivenga, Stefan Breytenbach
Western Province vs Free State Cheetahs at Newlands
Referee: Archie Sehlako
Assistant referees: Luke Burger, Linston Manuels
Under-19A Semifinals
Blue Bulls vs Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: François Groenewald
Assistant referees: Rasta Rashivenga, Stefan Breytenbach
Western Province vs Leopards at Newlands
Referee: Ben Crouse
Assistant referees: Luke Burger, Linston Manuels