Three South African match officials have been included on the panel for the forthcoming WXV Global Series, with Giana Viljoen in line to make her Test debut, while Zoe Naude has been appointed as the referee for four Tests.
World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Official appointments for the WXV Global Series and WXV Global Series Challenger presented by Mitsubishi Electric, which take place across September and October.
One of Naude’s four Test appointments is for the historic clash between the Springbok Women and New Zealand’s Black Ferns as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry presented by Castle Double Malt next month.
Viljoen will make her Test debut as referee at the WXV Challenger Series in Hong Kong in September, when she takes charge of the clash between Fiji and Hong Kong China, while the experienced Quiton Immelman has been handed Television Match Official duties.
Naude’s appointments as referee are for the Tests between Italy and Japan in Pordenone, before she travels to the USA for the clashes between USA and Italy (Nashville, Tennessee), and the USA and England (Harrison, New Jersey).
Record-breaking Test match referee Aimee Barrett-Theron has stood down from officiating to concentrate on treatment for a health issue.
The Springbok Women’s Tests will be officiated by Ella Goldsmith (v Wales in Cardiff on 18 September); Holly Wood (v Italy in Pordenone on 26 September); Bérénice Loubet (v Spain in Seville on 4 October); and Jess Ling (v Ireland in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October).
“It’s wonderful to see so many of our women match officials getting well-deserved international recognition,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“Zoe has some big Tests coming up, while Giana and Angie are climbing the ranks and being rewarded for their performances. Quinton is one of the most experienced TMOs we have, and we know all of them will do SA Rugby proud on the global stage.
“At the same time, we are standing by Aimee as she takes a break from the game, and we know she will be back to build on the legacy she has already created as one of the top referees in the world.”