Springboks get NEW referee for Ireland series: Here’s who

26/06/2024

The Springboks will have a new referee handling their upcoming series against Ireland after Australia’s Angus Gardner withdrew from the officiating team for “personal reasons”.

World Rugby confirmed that he will be replaced by English referee Luke Pearce, who will take charge of the first Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 6 July.

No further reasons were given, but the move has necessitated an entire shift of referees across the international July window to accommodate the change.

Springboks’ Test record under Luke Pearce

“World Rugby has confirmed that Angus Gardner (Australia) has withdrawn from officiating duties for the two-Test series between South Africa and Ireland for personal reasons. The Australian will be replaced by Luke Pearce (England) as referee for the first test and also as assistant referee for the second test,” a statement said.

“As a consequence of the change, there are also further amendments to the appointments, including Christophe Ridley (England), replacing Pearce as assistant referee for Japan v Georgia on 13 July.”

Another English referee, Karl Dickson, will be in charge of the second Test at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Saturday, 13 July.

Both Tests will kick off at 17:00.

Pearce, 36, refereed his first international in February 2013 when he took charge of Romania against Russia in the European Nations Cup.

He has refereed the Springbok on seven previous occasions, with South Africa having only won three of those matches (against Argentina, Canada and Tonga) and having lost to New Zealand (twice), Australia and Wales.

Meanwhile, the Springboks won the only Test refereed by Dickson against Argentina in Port Elizabeth in 2021.

For the record, Angus Gardner made his Test debut in 2011, officiating a match between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

He was named World Rugby Referee of the Year in 2018 and has officiated at three Rugby World Cups, in 2015, 2019 and 2023.

The Springboks have been refereed by Gardner on 11 occasions and have won six and lost five of those matches.

Officials for Springboks’ three Incoming Tests:

Saturday, 6 July

South Africa vs Ireland – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Mike Adamson (SRU)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Saturday, 13 July

South Africa vs Ireland – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)

TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

Saturday, 20 July

South Africa v Portugal – Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)

Assistant Referee 1: Craig Evans (WRU)