A northern hemisphere referee will take charge in each of the Springboks' four pool matches at the World Cup later this year.

On Wednesday, World Rugby confirmed the match official appointments for the World Cup group stages. Jérôme Garcès (France) will referee the opening Pool B match between South Africa and Japan in Brighton on 19 September. 

The Boks' second match against Samoa in Birmingham on 26 September will be officiated by Wayne Barnes (England). The subsequent fixture against Scotland in Newcastle on 3 October will be refereed by Nigel Owens (Wales), while the Boks' final group match against USA in London on 7 October will see Pascal Gaüzère (France) with the whistle.

Two South African referees, Jaco Peyper and Craig Joubert, will officiate in four group games each. Peyper will referee the opening game of the tournament between England and Fiji at Twickenham on 18 September. Joubert will ref one of the most important games of Pool A between Australia and Wales at Twickenham on 10 October.

Match official appointments for pool stage

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