Springboks’ Test match officials updated ahead of Argentina clash

The Springboks are preparing for two crucial Tests against Argentina as they chase the Rugby Championship title, with officiating set to take centre stage in the final rounds.

This Saturday’s Test in Durban will be refereed by experienced Australian Angus Gardner, while countryman Brett Cronan will be the TMO, but there will be a change when it comes to the Foul Play Review Officer. World Rugby has confirmed that Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy) will replace Damon Murphy (Australia).

For next weekend’s Springboks-Argentina Test in London, Eoghan Cross (Ireland) will replace Christophe Ridley (England) as assistant referee, marking his first Rugby Championship appointment.

Meanwhile, Karl Dickson (England) will serve as assistant referee for the Australia vs New Zealand Bledisloe Cup match in Perth on 4 October, taking over from Pierre Brousset (France).

The updated match official appointments for the Springboks-Argentina, and All Blacks-Australia, are as follows:

27 September – South Africa v Argentina – Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (New Zealand) 
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

4 October – Australia v New Zealand – Optus Stadium, Perth
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referee 2: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

4 October – Argentina v South Africa – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, England
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

TEAM SHEETS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.

Argentina: TBC

New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie.

Australia: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Filipo Daugunu.

Date: Saturday, September 27
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 07.05 (SA time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)