Three SA refs in top four

Three of the top four referees in Super Rugby this year have come from South Africa, after it was confirmed that Craig Joubert (SA) and Steve Walsh (Australia) will referee the semifinals.

SANZAR on Monday announced these appointments.

The Chiefs play the Crusaders in Hamilton and the Stormers play the Sharks in Cape Town.

Joubert will be in charge the match in Hamilton on Friday, while Walsh will control the other semifinal at Newlands on Saturday.

SANZAR game manager Lyndon Bray said the appointments reflected the best referees being used at the business-end of the competition.

Bray said: “The coaches are part of our decision-making process at this time of year, and since 2009 we have had their support for ensuring that we select our best referees on merit, rather than based on neutrality.

"The coaches have been an integral part of endorsing the appointment of our referees in the Super Rugby play-off series.

“The best four referees have been selected on their performances this season for the play-offs.

"The best two performing referees are now selected for the semifinal matches, and in the first instance they will go head to head for the final.

"If the form of one referee who refereed the qualifying match is considered on review to be better than the semifinal referees, then they are still considered in the mix for the final.”

That means that the referees in line for the 2012 Super Rugby Final are Craig Joubert, Steve Walsh, Jonathan Kaplan and Jaco Peyper.

Of the four, Kaplan (three times), Walsh (once) and Joubert (once) have refereed Super Rugby Finals.

Semifinal appointments:

Chiefs vs Crusaders at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Referee: Craig Joubert

Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan, Keith Brown

TMO: Garratt Williamson

Stormers vs Sharks at Newlands

Referee: Steve Walsh

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Marius Jonker

TMO: Shaun Veldsman