SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says referee Jaco Peyper was an outstanding ambassador for South African rugby following confirmation of his retirement.
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The 43-year-old Peyper refereed the last of his 67 Tests – third most by a South African match official behind Jonathan Kaplan and Craig Joubert – at last year’s Rugby World Cup. He was involved in three RWC tournaments, and handled numerous playoffs at United Rugby Championship, Super Rugby, Champions Cup and Currie Cup level.
Peyper, who is the sixth most-capped Test referee in history, was in charge in nine finals – five Currie Cup, three Super Rugby and one Champions Cup – as well as two RWC quarter-finals. He also refereed numerous matches in the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, as well as one Test between the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions in 2017.
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Peyper made his Test debut when he took charge of the match between Kenya and Zimbabwe in July 2011, and his last Test was the RWC 2023 quarter-final between Wales and Argentina in Marseille on 15 October. He refereed 14 matches across three Rugby World Cups (2015-23), with Japan 2019 quarter-final between Wales and France his 50th Test in the middle.
Peyper sustained a career-ending achilles injury during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Wales and Argentina in Marseille. The South African was set to return to officiating action in the match between Italy and Scotland during this year’s Six Nations but was withdrawn from the tournament’s refereeing panel because of his retirement.
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Alexander praised Peyper for his career, during which he was named Referee of the Year on four occasions: “Apart from progressing to be one of the best referees in the world during his 17-year first-class career, Jaco has also been a great ambassador for South Africa and a role model for aspiring young match officials.
“His cool, calm and collected conduct has been a standout characteristic throughout his career, while Jaco was also clear and consistent in the way in which he has applied the Laws, allowing players to them to express themselves on the field.
“We’ve had some outstanding referees since the game turned professional and Jaco can be regarded as one of the best. We understand his reasoning for wanting to retire as referee and although it’s a sad day, we look back at it with fond memories. We would like to wish him and his family the very best for the next chapter.”
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