Jaco Peyper named ‘Luckiest Person in Rugby’ after World Cup referees announced
The referees, assistant referees and television match officials for the World Cup later this year were announced today, and there is one official that will count himself very luck indeed.
Referee Jaco Peyper is the sole representative from South Africa amongst the referees and assistant referees, and only one of two South Africans in the entire team, with Marius Jonker also a TMO. That means one thing- Peyper is the only referee that cannot referee South Africa, and more specifically, Rassie Erasmus. In this day and age of video cameras and Twitter, that is a very nice place to be.
It is for that reason the 42-year-old is undoubtedly the luckiest person in rugby currently. Then again, with the likes of Eddie Jones also coaching at the World Cup, he will know he is not exactly safe.
Peyper might have a point to prove this World Cup though, as he was dropped as a referee last World Cup for his now infamous ‘elbow’ photo with fans, which came after he red carded France’s Sebastien Vahaamahina for an elbow. Before September though, Peyper will take charge of the Heineken Champions Cup final later this month at the Aviva Stadium between Leinster and La Rochelle, a place where he has some recent history as it was the location of the red card he awarded to Freddie Steward in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations.
Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Wayne Barnes (England), Nic Berry (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland), Matthew Carley (England), Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand).
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy), Christophe Ridley (England), Jordan Way (Australia).
Television Match Officials: Brett Cronan (Australia), Tom Foley (England), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales).
It’s Everyone’s team – Meet your @emirates Match Officials for Rugby World Cup 2023#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Wp2mPVycKQ
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) May 10, 2023
