Aimee Barrett-Theron has become the first woman to earn selection to SA Rugby’s Premier Panel of referees after she was promoted to the top tier of match officials.
The promotion means that Barrett-Theron, who recently refereed the opening match of the Women’s World Cup in Ireland, and the SA Rugby U20 Championship final in Welkom, will be in contention to referee matches in senior men’s competitions next year.
Apart from Barrett-Theron, the only other new additions to the referees’ panel are Cwengile JD Jadezweni, Stuart Berry and AJ Jacobs.
Meanwhile, SA Rugby announced that Jaco van Heerden has decided to hang up his whistle to focus on his career as an advocate, while experienced duo Lourens van der Merwe and Pro Legoete have retired from refereeing, although both will continue their careers as TMOs.
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SA Rugby Referee Panels for 2018:
Premier Panel – Quinton Immelman, Jaco Peyper, Rasta Rasivhenge, Egon Seconds, Marius van der Westhuizen, Stuart Berry, AJ Jacobs, Cwengile Jadezweni, Aimee Barrett-Theron.
National A Panel – Ben Crouse, Stephan Geldenhuys, Ruhan Meiring, Paul Mente, Vusi Msibi, Jaco Pretorius, Archie Sehlako.
National B Panel – Jaco Kotze, Pieter Maritz, Mpho Matsaung, Sindile Ngcese, Christopher Allison, Johre Botha, Griffin Colby, Jabian Jeftha, Phumzile Mbewu, Naka Bulelani, Eduan Nel, Divan Uys, Rodney Boneparte, Ricus van der Hoven.
Women’s Panel – Siyanda Ketse, Maria Mabote, Le-Ann MacClune, Lusanda Mtiya, Ashleigh Murray, Bulela Qwane, Cameron Dyers.
Sevens Panel – Christopher Allison, Aimee Barrett-Theron, Johre Botha, Griffin Colby, Ben Crouse, Morne Ferreira, Rasta Rasivhenge.
TMO Panel – Christie du Preez, Johan Greeff, Marius Jonker, Joey Klaaste-Salmans, Shaun Veldsman, Willie Vos, JJ Wagner, Lourens van der Merwe, Pro Legoete.
Selectors – Banks Yantolo, Eugene Daniels, Dennis Immelman, Mark Lawrence, Balie Swart, Deon van Blommestein.
National Performance Reviewers – Jacques Hugo, Dennis Immelman, Thuso Mngqibisa, Willie Roos, Johann Alberts, Willie Hess, Dawie Oberholzer, Arthur Southgate.
Photo: Dave Lintott/www.lintottphoto.co.nz
