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REVEALED: Who will referee the Boks at Eden Park

By World Rugby
Monday 14 Jul 2025

NEWS: The World Rugby Match Officials have been confirmed for the 2025 Rugby Championship, which takes place between August 16 and October 4.

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A total of 11 referees representing six nations, and boasting 331 tests worth of experience, will take charge of the 12 matches.

The 2025 edition of The Rugby Championship will see four of the world’s top eight-ranked teams battle it out across four continents and 11 cities.

Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) will take charge of the opening match between South Africa and Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on August 16, with Andrea Piardi (Italy) to referee the last match between Argentina and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on October 4.

Highlights include:

  • Andrea Piardi, who will referee two matches, a year on from becoming the first Italian official to take charge of a Rugby Championship match.

  • Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and Angus Gardner (Australia) are the most experienced referees on the panel with 50 tests.

  • Three assistant referees will make their tournament debuts in Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Sam Grove-White (Scotland) and Angus Mabey (New Zealand), along with one Television Match Official in Andrew Jackson (England).

World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge said: “Our collective focus continues to be on delivering the best match officials for the world’s best tournaments.

“The Rugby Championship 2025 will include some of our most experienced match officials, while at the same time allowing others to gain experience in such a high-level tournament.”

“Unashamedly, our goal is ensuring we are fully prepared for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with the match officials’ team performing to its fullest potential, facilitating an exciting game for players and fans.

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“The Rugby Championship represents a major milestone on the journey to Australia for match officials, and anticipation is again high for the 2025 tournament as the top talent from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa do battle for southern hemisphere supremacy.”

See the full list of match official appointments below…

Saturday, August 16

South Africa v Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

Argentina v New Zealand, Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Saturday, August 23

South Africa v Australia, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

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Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (Australia)

Argentina v New Zealand, Estado Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)

Saturday, September 6

Australia v Argentina, North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

New Zealand v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

Saturday, September 13

New Zealand v South Africa, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Saturday, September 27

New Zealand v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

South Africa v Argentina, Kings Park Stadium, Durban

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

Saturday, October 4

Australia v New Zealand, Perth Stadium, Perth

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)

Argentina v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

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Trending

1
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