Pretoria honours Joubert

Loftus is one of Joubert's favourite places and such a neighbourly derby of great importance was a fitting place to celebrate such an achievement. And the Blue Bulls Rugby Union did him proud.

The Blue Bulls Referees' Society had a special corner in their changing room with a commemorative sign and kind words.

As he ran out onto the field, there was a big banner congratulating him. The match itself was a delight.

After the match in the President's Suite he was [presented with a signed jersey from each team and a match ball signed by each team.

SARU presented him with a specially embroidered jersey and offered to get his family to travel with him to the match. But he had left his wife and children holidaying in England but will make it up later.

His fellow referees presented him with a very special personalised box set of Johnny Walker Blue and personal and special video messages from wherever they were based around the world.

Joubert himself said: "More important than my milestone was the fact that this was an important game in the context of the competition, but the approach of 2 positive teams allowed it to become an enjoyable spectacle which I loved.

"I am really appreciative of everything everyone did to make it an enjoyable and special occasion."

Joubert is just the third referee to referee 100 Super Rugby matches. The other two are Steve Walsh and Jonathan Kaplan.

So it was a special occasion for a special referee.