CAPE TOWN. – Three South Africans have been named on the WXV Global Series match officials panel, with Zoe Naude appointed as referee for four Tests and Giana Viljoen in line to make her Test debut.
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World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Official appointments for the WXV Global Series and WXV Global Series Challenger presented by Mitsubishi Electric, which take place across September and October.
Zoe Naude leads the SA contingent on the WXV Global Series match officials panel
One of Naude’s four Test appointments is for the historic clash between the Springbok Women and New Zealand’s Black Ferns as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry presented by Castle Double Malt next month.
Her other appointments as referee are for the Test between Italy and Japan in Pordenone, before she travels to the USA for the clashes between USA and Italy in Nashville, Tennessee, and USA and England in Harrison, New Jersey.
Viljoen will make her Test debut as referee at the WXV Challenger Series in Hong Kong in September, when she takes charge of the clash between Fiji and Hong Kong China. The experienced Quinton Immelman has been handed Television Match Official duties.
Record-breaking Test match referee Aimee Barrett-Theron has stood down from officiating to concentrate on treatment for a health issue.
Springbok Women Test appointments
The Springbok Women’s Tests will be officiated by:
- Ella Goldsmith, against Wales in Cardiff on 18 September
- Holly Wood, against Italy in Pordenone on 26 September
- Berenice Loubet, against Spain in Seville on 4 October
- Jess Ling, against Ireland in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October
SA Rugby on the WXV Global Series match officials list
“It’s wonderful to see so many of our women match officials getting well-deserved international recognition,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.
“Zoe has a number of big Tests coming up, while Giana and Angie are climbing the ranks and being rewarded for their performances. Quinton is one of the most experienced TMOs we have and we know all of them will do SA Rugby proud on the global stage.
“At the same time, we stand by Aimee as she takes a break from the game, and we know she will be back to build on the legacy she has already created as one of the top referees in the world.”
The full list of appointments is available on the World Rugby website.
* Press release.
