Swart scrums down with SA refs

Balie Swart, the former Springboks forwards coach, is to join SA referees as a selector and adviser.

At the beginning of the year he ran courses on scrum management for referees at the panel conferences and in the provinces around the country. His presentation was practical, referee orientated and vastly successful.

Swart has great scrumming experience as a player and as a coach. He played prop for South Africa in 16 Tests between 1993 and 1996, and that includes the victorious Rugby World Cup Final of 1995. He has coached in New Zealand and in South Africa, most recently as the forward coach of the Sharks, whose front row trio of Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit and BJ Botha, all coached by Swart, proved its value at Test level on the recent Springbok tour when the scrummaging in the last two matches was the best feature of the disappointing tour.

André Watson, SA referees manager, said: “Balie’s responsibility as selector will relate to the coordination of coaches and referees from a player/coach perspective.

“Coaches are invited to bring matters to his attention regarding refereeing. Coaches are still welcome to contact me on any refereeing matter or clarity in law matters and application of same. We are looking to bring a player/coach perspective to the SA Referees Selection committee and thought it wise to open an avenue to the coaches by Balie’s appointment as a referees selector.

“In addition, Balie will be referee coach on scrummage, and team coaches are invited to familiarise themselves with what the referees are aiming to achieve in this aspect of referees. We can assure you that we are seeking only to have safe and effective scrummages.

“We trust that above initiative will contribute to transparency and provide better clarity regarding referee matters and interpretation and remind all that the success of this endeavour will depend on the inter-relationship and cooperation between team coaches and the SA Referees.”