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Women rugby referees set new record

Five women – the most ever – have been included on the national match official panel for 2024, announced by SA Rugby on Tuesday.

Aimee Barrett-Theron, the 2021 and ‘22 Outsurance Referee of the Year, leads the list of women on the national panel, where she is joined by Ashley Murray-Pretorius, Sinesipho Foloti, Giana Viljoen and newly-promoted Zoe Naude, which puts them in line to be appointed at Currie Cup level.

Male referees Eon van Zyl and Daniel Canhenga were both promoted from the Academy Panel to the National Panel, and added to the Women’s Panel, are Lilitha Kalawe and Andiswa Mbilase.

“Our match officials performed well in 2023 and as such, we’ve not had too much movement on the panels, but it’s great to see our women’s representation increasing, and I would like to especially congratulate Zoe, Eon, Daniel, Lilitha and Andiswa on their promotions this year,” said Banks Yantolo, SA Rugby Referees Manager, following the department’s annual selection and grading meetings.

“Our identification programmes in the provincial unions are bearing fruit as we continue to work hard with potential top-level match officials with intensive coaching and enhancement. We have an exciting generation of younger referees who are pushing through the ranks, which bodes well for the future.”

SA Rugby Match Official Panels for 2024 (in alphabetical order):

  • National Panel: Christopher Allison, Aimee Barrett-Theron, Johre Botha, Daniel Canhenga, Hernus Coetzee, Griffin Colby, JD de Meyer, Morne Ferreira, Sinesipho Foloti, Stephan Geldenhuys, AJ Jacobs, Cwengile Jadezweni, Jonathan Lottering, Zukile Madikizela, Lulutho Matomela, Phumzile Mbewu, Ruhan Meiring, Paul Mente, Sean Muller, Ashleigh Murray-Pretorius, Zoe Naude, Dylen November, Jaco Peyper, Marius van der Westhuizen, Hanru van Rooyen, Eon van Zyl, Giana Viljoen.
  • Women’s Panel: Angelic Bezuidenhout, Cameron Dyers, Aneka Fick, Yohane Halgryn, Lilitha Kalawe, Andiswa Mbilase, Siyanda Pikoli, Bulela Qwane.
  • TMO Panel: Ben Crouse, Christie du Preez, Quinton Immelman, Marius Jonker, Archie Sehlako, Egon Seconds.
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