Peyper is best among peers
The course was attended by South Africa's top 28 referees, SARU's TMOs and assessors and other officials, including coaches. It was a serious course, barring the Saturday night awards.
Most of the evening was great fun with all sorts of fake awards leading to forfeits, but there was also a serious component.
Awards were made to the referees who refereed finals in 2015 and then there was the Referees' Referee of the Year Award – a serious and prestigious award as referees vote for the referee who they believe, by performance and contribution, was the best in 2015.
There was also a Ratel award.
The Ratel – honey badger – is tough, thick-skinned and unyielding. The Ratel Awards are made to referees who stick to their guns, even when under pressure to yield. Marius van der Westhuizen was an assistant referee when the Brumbies played the Stormers at Newlands and his adherence to his conviction saw Henry Speight red-carded for a tip tackle and miss the semifinal as a result.
The Awards:
Referees referee 2015: Jaco Peyper
Super Rugby Final: Jaco Peyper
Currie Cup Premier Final: Rasta Rasivhenge
Currie Cup First Division Final: Quinton Immelman
Vodacom Cup Final: Quinton Immelman
Under-21 A Final: Cwengile Jadezweni
Under-19 A Final: Sindile Ngcese
Under-18 Craven Week final match: AJ Jacobs
