Kaplan already in Currie Cup Final

Jonathan Kaplan has been appointed to referee his fourth Currie Cup Final.  He was appointed  to the match just ahead of Mark Lawrence who refereed last year’s Final.

In making the announcement André Watson, South Africa’s manager of referees, said that it had been a most difficult appointment as there was little to choose between Kaplan and Lawrence. After the referees’ selectors could not decide the matter was referred to the SA Referees’ executive and to Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU.

After coaches’ views and the and the executive’s opinion were taken into consideration the decision was taken to appoint Kaplan.

Watson said: “This obviously gives a very clear indication that both the gentlemen, who had refereed superbly throughout the year in all competitions are deserving to referee the final. Mark Lawrence will be the official reserve referee should Jonathan not be able to referee the game.

“Both referees are worthy to referee the Final, but, and unfortunately, only one can referee  can do so.”

SA Referees expressed their best wishes to Jonathan Kaplan well for the Final, to Mark Lawrence and Craig Joubert in the semi finals, and to Shaun Veldsman who was appointed the television match official for the Final.

Apart from the Premier Division semifinals, SARU made appoints to other finals and semifinals, most notably the First Division Final between the Leopards and the Griffons. Marius Jonker has been appointed to that match.