Jaco Peyper retires after 67 international caps

South African referee Jaco Peyper has confirmed that he is to hang up his whistle after seemingly losing a battle with an Achilles injury picked up at the Rugby World Cup last year.

Tributes have poured in with Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, hailing the 43-year old Bloemfontein-based match official, as one of the best ambassadors for South African rugby in the last decade.

Away from the field of play, Peyper has played a pivotal role in mentoring and championing the next generation of match officials. Reflecting this passion, Peyper was elected to the inaugural management committee of the International Rugby Match Officials body in 2023, serving the interests of the top male and female officials on the international stage. His work with broadcasters, helping to deepen understanding of refereeing and laws, has also been a prominent feature of his time as an international referee.

Notable milestones

• 67 Tests
• Test debut Kenya v Zimbabwe in July 2011
• Sixth most-capped Test referee in history
• Third most capped South African referee – behind Jonathan Kaplan and Craig Joubert.
• He was involved in three RWC tournaments – refereeing 14 matches including two quarter-finals
• The Japan 2019 RWC quarter-final between Wales and France was his 50^th Test in the middle.
• Numerous playoffs at Vodacom United Rugby Championship, Super Rugby, Investec Champions Cup and Currie Cup level
• Refereed five Currie Cup, three Super Rugby and one Champions Cup final He also refereed 12 Six Nations matches as well as plenty more in the Rugby Championship in its various guises, as well as Lions test (against New Zealand) in 2017.
• SA Referee of the Year on four occasions

Rugby has only been good to me

Peyper said that rugby was part of his DNA and that he was privileged to have spent so many years involved in the game. “I literally grew up next to the rugby field as my dad was a coach, and later on I played and coached the game before I took up the opportunity to go into refereeing,” said Peyper in his announcement today.

“There are always tough times at high end refereeing, but since making my first-class debut 17 years ago, rugby has only been good to me.

“It’s been a great journey, I have made many wonderful friends and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many fantastic places around the world. All things considered, now is perhaps the best time to step away from active refereeing to spend more time with my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters, as well as my growing business interests.

“There are many people I would like to thank and will do so personally, but I want to give a special word of thanks the CEOs of SA Rugby for backing me, the support I’ve received from the High-Performance division, my fellow match officials and specifically the Springboks, whom I’ve worked with closely and who have helped me become a better referee.

“Rugby is part of my life and although I’m closing the door on active refereeing, I would love nothing more than to stay involved in this wonderful game, and plough back after what it’s given me.”

Tributes

SARU President, Mr Alexander praised Peyper, “Apart from progressing to be one of the best referees in the world during his 17-year first-class career, Jaco has also been a great ambassador for South Africa and a role model for aspiring young match officials. His cool, calm and collected conduct has been a standout characteristic throughout his career, while Jaco was also clear and consistent in the way in which he has applied the Laws, allowing players to them to express themselves on the field.

“We’ve had some outstanding referees since the game turned professional and Jaco can be regarded as one of the best. We understand his reasoning for wanting to retire as referee and although it’s a sad day, we look back at it with fond memories. We would like to wish him and his family the very best for the next chapter.”

Commenting this afternoon, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said, “Jaco has been a fantastic ambassador for rugby, a role model for aspiring referees and will be remembered as one of the greats of international and club refereeing. But above all the accolades, he is a great person. He cares deeply about the game and championing his fellow match officials. He has played a huge role in the development of burgeoning international referees and is a calm, assured presence within a great team.

“It takes a special type of person to be at the top of their game in the most challenging of arenas, and Jaco has done that superbly. In short, he is a credit to rugby, his nation and his family, and I wish him all the best as he begins a new and exciting chapter.”

World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge added, “Beyond the statistics, it was the consistently high level that Jaco operated at over the last four-year cycle that is particularly impressive.

“Beyond the field, his character was evident, and I will never forget how, despite being desperately disappointed that his Rugby World Cup 2023 ended in injury, he unselfishly remained in camp, supporting the wider team, sharing his experience and lifting spirits. It was superb.   On behalf of the World Rugby match officials management, I would like to say a massive thank you to Jaco and wish him and the family the very best for the future.” 

And from RugbyReferee.net, we extend our best wishes to Jaco for his future endeavours, but also congratulations for all you’ve done in, and for, the game and refereeing.