Burger Goes Citing in New Zealand
He will also be the citing commissioner in two other matches – French Barbarians against Crusaders and Highlanders.
Burger, who was a good player in his day, was, at one stage, despite South African rugby's isolation, the inmost capped referee in South Africa – till re-entry brought Tests galore and freedom for South African referees to roam the world.
Active refereeing over, Burger became the first time manager of South African referees and there entry into the rugby world. It was he who prepared André Watson for his first Rugby World Cup Final in 1999.
After his retirement, Burger became increasingly used as a citing commissioner and has been used internationally for 11 years now. In fact the first Test in the series will be his 50th Test as a citing commissioner.
He has, more than that, been a citing commissioner at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, and is looking forward to going to Japan in 2019.
The citing commissioners have come to play an increasingly important role in ensuring that rugby's potential for violence is kept with in the laws of the game which have laid increasing emphasis on player safety.
Burger's Citing Appointments
9 June 2018: New Zealand vs France at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
15 June 2018: Crusaders vs French Barbarians at AMI Stadium, Christchurch
16 June 2018: New Zealand vs France at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
22 June 2018: Highlanders vs French Barbarians in Invercargill
23 June 2018: New Zealand vs France at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand
