Aimee Barrett-Theron to referee opening match of #RWC2025

NEWS: South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron will referee the Women’s World Cup 2025 opening match between hosts England and 1991 champions USA at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on August 22.

It will be the second time that the South African official has been handed the honour of refereeing the opening match, having also taken charge of England’s encounter with Spain at the Women’s World Cup 2017 in Ireland.

With excitement building around the world as the countdown hits 44 days to go, World Rugby has announced the Match Official appointments for the 24 matches that make up the pool stage of what promises to be the biggest and best-ever Women’s World Cup.

In May, a team of 22 Match Officials (10 referees, six assistant referees and six Television Match Officials) were selected for the showcase event in England, which runs from August 22 to September 27 across eight host locations.

A significant milestone will be reached on the last day of the pool stage on 7 September with Sara Cox (England) to become the first female to referee 50 test matches when she takes charge of Japan v Spain at York Community Stadium in York.

Clara Munarini (Italy) will be in the middle for the final match of the pool stage later that day, the Pool D meeting between France and South Africa at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.

Other memorable milestones that we will se at the World Cup include Maria Heitor becoming the first Portuguese official on the World Cup stage.

Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe) will follow suit as the first African female from outside South Africa when she is an assistant referee for the other Pool A match on the opening weekend between Australia v Samoa in Manchester a day later.

Sara Cox will officiate in her fifth Women’s World Cup, having had appointments as an assistant referee in 2010 and 2014 before refereeing in the last two tournaments.

Natarsha Ganley, Ella Goldsmith (Australia) and Kat Roche (USA) will make their World Cup refereeing debuts, the latter having been an assistant referee in New Zealand.

Goldsmith will take charge of New Zealand’s opening match of their title defence, against Spain in York on 24 August.

Four officials will referee three matches in the pool stage in Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Cox, Aurélie Groizeleau (France) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland).

Groizeleau’s first appointment – Canada v Fiji in York on 23 August – will be her 40th test as a referee, making her the fourth female to reach the milestone after Barrett-Theron, Cox and Davidson.

Cox’s third match in the pool stage – Japan v Spain in York on 7 September – will see her become the first female to take charge of 50 tests and the 16th overall in test history.
Davidson will referee Brazil’s first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup match against South Africa in Northampton on 24 August.

Women’s World Cup 2025 panel

Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Clara Munarini (Italy), Kat Roche (USA).

Assistant referees: Maria Heitor (Portugal), Jess Ling (Australia), Amelia Luciano (USA), Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe, reserve referee), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales), Holly Wood (England).

Television Match Officials: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Rachel Horton (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Matteo Liperini (Italy), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Ian Tempest (England).