Lions axe SA refs

Bosses angry at referee snub

By Carlie Horsley   Last updated: 5th September 2008

marius jonker

Jonker: Excluded from tour

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South African rugby bosses have been left reeling after the British and Irish Lions opted to exclude the country's top referees from their tour next year.

The decision to only use neutral referees in provincial matches means that four of the world's top eight officials, South Africans Jonathan Kaplan, Marius Jonker, Mark Lawrence and Craig Joubert, will no longer be included in the 10-Test tour.

Now only French and New Zealand officials will be considered impartial enough for the job.

Andre Watson, South Africa's manager of referees, thinks the move is surprising, regarding the IRB's high regard for the officials.

He told the Independent: "Neutrality is not an issue for us - we judge on competence and merit, whether people can do the job.

"So I find it strange. If the Springboks were playing provincial matches in Ireland or England, we would have no problems accepting an Irish or English referee.

"Competence doesn't come into it. If it is a question of neutrality, I would be angry. Referees at that level would not cheat. If that was the case, it would be a snub at refereeship.

"They've refereed 60 or more Super 14 matches and up to100 Currie Cup games. If they are not good enough to handle those provincial games against the Lions, I question who is."