Jaco Peyper will referee his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby match when he takes charge of the clash between the Crusaders and Brumbies in Christchurch on Saturday.
Only Steve Walsh (111 matches), and the South African duo of Jonathan Kaplan (107) and Craig Joubert (103) have achieved this feat.
Peyper’s career highlights include officiating the Super Rugby final in 2015 and 2017, as well as the series opener between the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions in 2017. He was named SA Rugby Referee of the Year for a third time last year, and officiated the Currie Cup final in Cape Town.
‘I just love rugby and I’m so grateful today when I reflect on the last 10 years refereeing in this competition, all the experiences lived and friendships forged,’ Peyper said.
‘The key to longevity is not just how good you are at refereeing, but your support structure. I have been fortunate to have had world-class support from so many people, but none more so than my wife, little girls and family. I wish my dad was still alive to see this day, as he would have been so proud.
‘Super Rugby is unique in that it requires versatility in refereeing skills, from tough local derbies to managing different styles of play from teams in other Sanzaar countries. Every week is a great challenge in understanding the fixture on that day, but loving every minute still and striving for that perfect game, one day.’
Meanwhile, Friday’s match between the Stormers and Reds in Brisbane will be refereed by South Africa’s Marius van der Westhuizen. Countryman AJ Jacobs and Australia’s Nic Berry will be the assistants, while James Leckie has been appointed as the TMO.
New Zealand’s Mike Fraser will be in charge of the derby between the Lions and Sharks in Johannesburg on Friday night. Fraser will be assisted by South Africa’s Rasta Rasivhenge and New Zealand’s Brendon Pickerill, with South Africa’s Willie Vos the TMO.
That same team will be in charge of Saturday’s match between the Vodacom Bulls and Jaguares in Pretoria. This time, Pickerill will be the referee, with Rasivhenge and Fraser as his assistants.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
