After refereeing the Super Rugby semi-final between the Lions and the Hurricanes, veteran official Jaco Peyper has been put in charge of the final of the tournament between the Johannesburg-based franchise and the Hurricanes at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
Lions will host a home Super Rugby final against Crusaders on Saturday after they turned the tables to demolish highly fancied Hurricanes 44-29 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
While a neutral referee was expected to be appointed for the clash, governing body SANZAAR were so impressed with Peyper’s performance in the semi that he was once again handed the whistle for the decider.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement:
‘The selection criteria for all match official appointments for the last two years follows a clear tournament policy – as agreed by the Sanzaar executive committee and the tournament’s stakeholders – that such appointments be merit-based’
Peyper will be assisted by New Zealander Glen Jackson, who refereed last year’s final between the Hurricanes and Lions, and South African Marius van der Westhuizen. The TMO is another South African, Marius Jonker.
Meanwhile, South African fans have made their presence felt, as tickets for the eagerly awaited battle were sold out as early as Monday.