Report◆ BreakingSpringboksRugby36546m ago

Gardner steps in as Cape Town Test referee after Amashukeli ruled out ill

Angus Gardner replaces the ill Nika Amashukeli as referee for the Springboks vs All Blacks second Test in Cape Town, with Amashukeli still scheduled to take charge of the third Test in Johannesburg on 5 September.

World Rugby has reshuffled the match official appointments for the final two Tests of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, with Angus Gardner replacing an ailing Nika Amashukeli for this weekend's second Test between the Springboks and All Blacks in Cape Town.

Amashukeli, who was originally scheduled to referee the Cape Town fixture, has not recovered from illness. Gardner, who had been assigned as an assistant referee, takes charge of the Test instead, with Brett Cronan as TMO, Karl Dickson and Sam Grove-White as his assistants, and Eric Gauzins serving as Foul Play Review Officer.

Amashukeli is expected to be fit for the third Test in Johannesburg on 5 September, where he will referee with Gauzins as TMO and Gardner — switching back to assistant duties — alongside Christophe Ridley.

Sources

Rugby365https://rugby365.com/countries/new-zealand/late-change-for-springboks-vs-all-blacks-as-world-rugby-names-new-referee/

Tagged

Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener

South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.

PodcastSpringboks

Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story

Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.

ReportSpringboks

Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'

Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.

ReportSpringboks

Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends

NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.

VideoSpringboks

Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile

The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.