It’s the Lions v South Africa series decider, and this week, it’s Mathieu Raynal’s turn to referee. The Frenchman will be hoping for the players to decide the outcome of this week’s encounter. It’s the start of the Rugby Championship window, and while the comp itself doesn’t start for another week, there’s a Bledisloe Cup encounter to get things going. With lockdowns still affecting travel plans, Paul Williams of New Zealand will oversee affairs in what will be his 20th international match. For the TRC tournament, there’s a mixture of neutral and non-neutral appointments which we’ll bring to you next week. Elsewhere in South Africa, it’s the final regular round of the Currie Cup before the play offs next week. Marius van der Westhuizen will referee the top-of-the-table clash between the Sharks v Bulls match in Durban.
In New Zealand, it’s round 4 of the Farah Palmer Cup, and this weekend, the ladies league are joined by the men as the NPC (National Provincial Cup) kicks off for the new season. Brendon Pickerill picks up a local game in readiness for his TRC match next weekend.
And finally, we have week two of the Scotland Super 6s tournament.
Have a safe weekend, wherever you are
Keith
Lions of South Africa – Third Test
South Africa v British and Irish Lions
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Nic Berry (Aus)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Bledisloe Cup
New Zealand v Australia
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ – 20th Test)
ARs: Mike Fraser & Brendon Pickerill (both NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
Currie Cup – Premier Division
Tafel Lager Griquas v Sigma Lions
Referee: Griffin Colby
ARs: Local appointments
TMO: Ben Crouse
Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
ARs: Local appointments
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni
DHL Western Province v Toyota Cheetahs
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
ARs: Local appointments
TMO: Egon Seconds
First Division
Leopards v Boland Kavaliers
Referee: Paul Mente
ARs: Local appointments
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Down Touch Griffons v Valke
Referee: Morné Ferreira
ARs: Local appointments
TMO: Quinton Immelman
Scotland – Super 6s
Watsonians Rugby v Stirling County
Referee: Keith Allen
ARs: Jonny Perriam & Bob Nevins
Ayrshire Bulls v Boroughmuir Bears
Referee: Graeme Ormiston
ARS: Ross Mabon & Samuel O’Neil
Heriot’s Rugby v Southern Knights
Referee: David Sutherland
ARs: Keith Allen & Ian Kenny
Farah Palmer Cup – round 4
Manawatū Cyclones v Hawkes’ Bay Tui
Referee: Tiana Ngawati
Wellington Pride v Counties Manukau Heat
Referee: Fraser Hannon
Otago Spirit v Waikato
Referee: Taneika Uerata
North Harbour Hibiscus v Taranaki Whio
Referee: Cassie Watt
Tasman Mako v Northland Kauri
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
Auckland v Canterbury
Referee: Larrisa Collingwood
Bunnings Warehouse NPC – Round 1
Manawatu v Counties Manukau
Referee: Angus Mabey
Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay
Referee: Jono Bredin
Wellington v Northland
Referee: Tipene Cottrell
Otago v Southland
Referee: Dan Waenga
Bay of Plenty v Tasman
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
North Harbour v Waikato
Referee: Nick Hogan
Auckland v Canterbury
Referee: Nick Briant