How to Become A Rugby Referee In South Africa

The World Rugby International Referees Panel is a panel of elite rugby union referees appointed by the sports governing body, World Rugby to officiate in international matches, usually those involving the national teams of high-performance unions from across the globe, as named by World Rugby.

Does rugby have a referee?

Rugby league match officials are responsible for fairly enforcing the Laws of the Game from a neutral point of view during a match of rugby league football and imposing penalties for deliberate breaches of these Laws. The most senior match official is the referee.

Why can you hear the ref in rugby?

During all Six Nations matches, the referee has a microphone attached to them. That means you can hear the ref interact with the other match officials – like the TMO, for example. Ref on the field was mic’d up. It was seamless, transparent and perfect.

Why do Rugby refs wear pink?

The pink jersey worn by South African rugby league referees is being scrapped as there is a feeling among officials that it undermines their authority. NRL refs will wear blue or red, colours believed to encourage discipline, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

How to Become A Rugby Referee In South Africa

Educational

This section of the website will contain instructional information to help understand aspects of the Laws that may be confusing. Take a moment to check out the latest additions.

LAW CHANGES

Under Development.


HEAD INJURIES

The responsibility for identifying suspicious head injuries in rugby is not isolated to the team doctors and match day medical staff. All officials, match and team, have a role in supporting identification of potential head injuries.

The link below will take you to download the presentation (62mB) from World Rugby in identifying potential head injuries. Please download where you have uncapped WiFi (4mbs) or low-cost access.

Acknowledgement is given to World Rugby for the provision of the above content.


ROLE OF THE ASSISTANT REFEREE

The links below will take you to a slide presentation in understanding the respective roles of the assistant referee and or touch judge, supporting video clips included.

Should you wish to be involved as an assistant referee and or touch judge kindly contact your local referee society to attend their relevant courses to be certified as such.

Please keep in mind it is a large file – between 651mB to 2.5GB each – so please download where you have uncapped WiFi (4mbs) or low-cost access.

When asked for a password, press “Read Only”.

Acknowledgement is given to World Rugby for the provision of the above content.


BALL RETRIEVERS

The link below will take you to a slide presentation in understanding the repsective roles of the ball retrievers, supporting video clips included. Please keep in mind it is a large file – 1 GB – so please download where you have uncapped WiFi (4mbs) or low-cost access.

When asked for a password, press “Read Only”.

Important: Any minor fulfilling the role of a ball retriever, their respective parent or legal guardian needs to complete the INDEMNITY AND CONSENT FORM – Letter of Permission for a Minor to participate in the Local South African Rugby Union (SARU)/World Rugby/SANZAAR Competition/PRO14/Rugby Africa Match.


STATISTICIAN’S & TIMEKEEPERS

The links below will take you to a slide presentation assisting the statistician’s and timekeepers in the completion of the various documents used during a match. The presentations includes practical sessions as well. Please keep in mind it is a large file – 2.2 GB – so please download where you have uncapped WiFi (4mbs) or low-cost access.

Statistician’s

Presentation

Printout Notes

Stats Form Printout

Timekeepers

Presentation

Printout Notes

Time Keeping Template


MANAGEMENT OF REPLACEMENTS (MOR)

The links below will take you to a slide presentation assisting the TZM and RC in administrating the team replacements during a match. Please keep in mind it is a large file 400 MB – 2.5GB – so please download where you have uncapped WiFi (4mbs) or low-cost access.

Recruitment

So you’re interested in becoming a referee, well done. Apart from playing it is one of the most satisfying contributions you can make to the game of rugby. Males and females are equally welcome, here are some of the more commonly asked questions about becoming a referee.

Why should I become a referee?

Refereeing a closely-fought game of rugby is one of the most exhilarating things you can do, the pressure of making the correct decision in an instant is a huge adrenalin rush for most referees. You could join that band of decision makers.

Some of the reasons why people take up refereeing include:

To remain active in the game

To give something back to the sport

Having an injury that stops the person from continuing as a player

Realising that they may reach higher honours as a match official than as a player

The enjoyment of being involved in one of the greatest team sports.

Is there an age limit?

Generally, the earlier you start refereeing, the better but there are certain legislative aspects one needs to take into consideration. The recommendation is that you may start refereeing from the age of 16 years but a senior referee will shadow/mentor you until you turn 18.

How much time does it take?

In any sport, success requires commitment, and it’s no different in refereeing. In addition to fitness training, there’s the Law Book that needs to be studied and society meetings that must be attended. Many provinces also hold weekly meetings where the previous week’s games are discussed and refereeing techniques investigated in more detail. Games are frequently on Friday nights and Saturdays, so there is a real time commitment.

Download a copy of the RSA Law book here

What previous experience do I need?

People with previous playing experience have an advantage over someone who’s never played, but this is not a limiting factor. If you’re prepared to put in the effort, watch school and club games, and matches on TV, and diligently follow the training programme, there’s no doubt you can become a competent referee.

What is the training programme?

There are a number of core courses that need to be successfully completed before you can take up the whistle.

World Rugby Level One – Introducing Officiating

This is an eight-hour programme designed to enable budding referees to acquire the basic skills to officiate safely and enjoyably. It includes the playing charter, individual core skills, communication, positional play and the role of the touch judge. 

More information on all the World Rugby courses is available here

Assistant Referee

Where there are suitably trained touch judges in place, their function has been upgraded to that of Assistant Referee. This upgrade entitles them to play a more meaningful role in the administration of the game and provide an additional set of eyes and ears for the referee to rely on.

BokSmart

All referees and coaches in South Africa must undergo a BokSmart safety course. The objective of this programme is to ensure coaches and referees encourage and enforce high levels of player safety in order to minimise player injuries. This certification is valid for two years and must be renewed as required.

More information on BokSmart is available here

National Exam

Every year referees must write the National Laws Examination. This is done on a provincial basis at a date and time coordinated by the provincial referee society.

To quickly test your Law knowledge click here to go to the quiz on this website

Fitness Tests

All referees must undergo regular fitness tests as the ability to keep up with play and be in a suitable state to make clear and rational decisions is what the role is all about. These typically occur at the beginning and midway through the season. The standard measurement tool is a multi-stage fitness test commonly known as the Bleep Test/Yo Yo. It’s a widely acknowledged tool to measure an athlete’s VO2 max state.

Results from the Bleep Test are one of the criteria used to promote or relegate referees. A referee on any of the SA Rugby-controlled panels will need to meet or exceed a Bleep Test of 12.5.

How is the referee set-up structured?

Rugby is governed through 14 provincial unions that come together to form the South African Rugby Union (SARU). Clubs and schools in each province are affiliates of the local union, together with the provincial referee society. The 14 provincial referee societies are, in turn, affiliates of the SA Rugby Referees’ Association (SARRA) and this is affiliated to SARU.

All organised rugby in South Africa is administered through the provincial unions and ultimately SARU. All registered referees are members of their provincial society and, again, ultimately members of and subject to the disciplinary code of SARRA.

For more information on SARU click here

Can I become a Test referee?

The reality is that there are far fewer Test referees than international rugby players, so to make it to the very top is a long and uncompromising road to travel. But it can be done and South Africa has produced some of the best referees in the world. André Watson is the only person to referee two IRB Rugby World Cup finals, Jonathan Kaplan remains one of the world’s most-capped Test referees and Craig Joubert refereed the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup final.

It all starts with small steps and once you have been accepted as a member of a provincial society, your success is largely in your own hands. You’ll be expected to start at the bottom and work your way through the ranks. With hard work and some good fortune, it’s possible to end up as a Test referee.

What about player/spectator abuse?

Player and spectator abuse is part and parcel of modern-day sport. However, rugby is one of the codes that’s determined to reduce the frequency and severity of this phenomenon, and the provincial unions as well as SA Rugby have taken significant steps in this regard.

The National Referee Recruitment and Awareness Campaign is designed to educate the public about the laws and change negative attitudes towards referees.

Rugby is a tough and physical game but the Laws of the Game make specific provision to outlaw referee abuse.

Code of Conduct 

All registered referees and referee administrators in South Africa, whether on any of the SARU Panels/Squads or not, are subject to SARRA’s Code of Conduct. 

What qualifications do you need to be a rugby referee?

Have refereed for a minimum of 3 years.

Over 18 years of age.

Hold World Rugby Level 2 Officiating or equivalent.

Complete self tests at www.worldrugby.org/rugbyready, www.worldrugby.org/laws and www.worldrugby.org/sandc.

Complete a season and training diary and PDP.

How much do South African rugby referees earn?

R174,459 (ZAR)/yr.

How do I become a referee in South Africa?

You become a referee by attending and successfully completing a referee training course. – SAFA authorized two entry-level referee certifications: Referee Grade 1 and Referee Grade 2. Look for soccer clubs near you and find out what you need to do to join and what payments are expected.

What is the referees job in rugby In South Africa?

Rugby union match officials are responsible for enforcing the rugby union laws of the game during a match and imposing sanctions on individuals who do not follow the rules.

Who is the best referee in South Africa?

Jerome Damon (1972 – ) With an HPI of 51.40, Jerome Damon is the most famous South African Referee.

How many referees are in a rugby match?

The game must have one referee and two touch judges. The game is stopped if a player is fouled and there is no subsequent advantage.

Why do rugby players call the referee sir In South Africa?

The tradition for rugby players to call a referee “Sir” goes back to the origins of the game in 19th century England. All schoolboys addressed their teachers as “Sir”, and teachers refereed the schoolboy matches. It’s not mandatory in rugby, and some regions don’t follow the tradition.

Who get the most respect in rugby In South Africa?

In rugby, referees are treated with the utmost respect, and there is never a question about whether they will be disobeyed. This compilation also highlighted how there is a time and a place for banter between rugby players and officials in the sport. Rugby referee Nigel Ownes has always commanded respect in the sport.

What personal characteristics should a rugby player have In South Africa?

Due to the high physical demands of rugby league, players require highly developed anthropometric and physical qualities (i.e. linear speed, change-of-direction speed, aerobic capacity, muscular strength and power) to succeed [3, 5].