Refs for Bok Tests revealed

2008-05-10 20:23

Johannesburg - Wayne Barnes, the young English referee blamed in New Zealand for the All Blacks' early exit from the World Cup, has been appointed to referee South Africa's Test against Argentina at Ellis Park on August 9.

This Test was confirmed last month and is an effort to give Argentina's top players more exposure against the world's leading rugby countries.

Another referee from England, Dave Pearson, will be in control of the first Test between South Africa and Wales in Bloemfontein while New Zealand's Lyndon Bray will handle the second Test in Pretoria.

Newcomer to Test rugby, George Clancy of Ireland, has been appointed for the Test against Italy in Cape Town.

The referees for the Tri-Nations series have not been appointed yet.

Three South African referees have been appointed for Test duty in the period up to August 9. Willie Roos handles two matches in the IRB Pacific nations Cup, Japan v Australia A in Fukuoka on June 8 and Japan v Tonga in Sendai on June 15.

Jonathan Kaplan has been appointed for the Test between New Zealand and England in Christchurch on June 21; and Mark Lawrence takes charge of match between Australia and France in Sydney on June 28.

South Africans Shaun Veldsman and Johan Meeuwesen have both been appointed as television match officials for two Tests.

- SAPA