The Rugby Championship marks the countdown to the new season for those in the north, or the convenient mid-season break in the South before the start of the national competitions. There’s pre-season warm-ups aplenty around in the European domestic leagues, so all eyes will be on Jaco Peyper who referees the Australia v All Blacks TRC match, or Ben O’Keeffe who takes charge of South Africa v Argentina. The ladies version of the Australia v New Zealand match will precede the mens match and will be overseen by Tim Baker from Hong Kong.
Elsewhere, there’s a Rugby World Cup place at stake as Kenya and Namibia compete to claim the Rugby Africa Gold Cup title and a direct qualification place for Japan next year. Namibia stand four points clear of Kenya with a superior points difference heading into the decisive match, and a bonus point will be enough to confirm champion status and a place in Pool B for Japan 2019. They will join New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and the repechage winner. The match will be refereed by JD Jadezweni of South Africa.
Enjoy your rugby this weekend!
The Rugby Championship
Australia v New Zealand
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
ARs: Wayne Barnes (England) & Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
South Africa v Argentina
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
ARs: Angus Gardner (Australia) & Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Rugby Africa Gold Cup
Uganda v Zimbabwe –
Referee: Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Namibia v Kenya –
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
Tunisia v Morocco –
Referee: Cédric Marchat (France)
International Women
Australia v New Zealand
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)
ARs:
Ian Tempest (England) & Amber Hibbard (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
