Big day for Jonker
It’s a big day in Cardiff on Saturday. A big day for the teams, a big day for their supporters and for rugby watchers all around the world. It’s also a big day for Marius Jonker of South Africa, and he is looking forward to it.
Jonker has been appointed to referee the match which will decide the destination of the Six Nations Trophy. Will Wales take it and the Grand Slam? Will France win by 20 points and take the trophy? There is a lot riding on this match in Millennium Stadium.
It’s a long way from Mauritius to Millennium Stadium, and there is huge difference between Mauritius vs Burkina Faso and Wales vs France, but that is the refereeing journey Jonker has made since 2005.
Jonker is relatively new on the International Rugby Board’s panels, but he has had some fascinating matches. Apart from Mauritius vs Burkina Faso in 2005 and Uganda vs Namibia in Kampala in 2006, he has refereed Ireland vs Australia at Lansdowne Road, his first big one, in 2006 and then seven Tests in 2007, including a Bledisloe Cup match, the Calcutta Cup match and three matches at the World Cup when he was one of the 12 referees chosen from all around the world to referee.
The other South African referee at the World Cup was Jonathan Kaplan, more experienced than Jonker and on Saturday his touch judge at Millennium Stadium. Last weekend Jonker was Kaplan’s touch judge for the Calcutta Cup match in Edinburgh when the weather was cruel. Jonker says: “I can never be colder than what I was on touch at Murrayfield last Saturday! I had my hands in warm water at half-time and drank about two litres of coffee.”
How do you feel when something like this comes your way, something most referees cannot even dream of?
Jonker spoke to us. “I am extremely excited about this Saturday’s game and the atmosphere is electric. Loads and loads of French supporters have started to arrive in Cardiff. The Lord knows where they are going to find seats for them all!
“I am absolutely blessed to be in this position. The nerves are starting to do their bit and I cannot wait to get out there and be a part of it.”
A lot that’s new? “I have never refereed at Millennium Stadium nor have I refereed these two sides.”
His first visit ever to the stadium was on Friday in the cold. “Just so that I won’t get stage fright tomorrow.”
Been preparing, have you? “I have had a very good week training and preparation wise and intend to just go out there and be myself.
“I have had lots of support from all back home and so I am looking forward to a fun-filled afternoon!”
Marius Jonker was born in Kimberley on 19 June 1969. He played rugby at school and then while he was in the police force, ending his playing career as a flyhalf for Richards Bay in Zululand. He started refereeing in 2006. A loss control manager for Bell Equipment in the harbour town of Richards Bay, Jonker is married to Belinda and they have a son Rynhardt and daughter Brenda.
