There has been a late change to the match officials for Saturday’s highly anticipated Springboks vs All Blacks Test in Cape Town.
Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli was originally appointed to take charge of the clash, but World Rugby has confirmed that he will miss the match after failing to recover from illness.
Australian referee Angus Gardner has now been appointed to officiate the second Test at DHL Stadium.
Angus Gardner steps in
Gardner will take charge of the match, with a new-look officiating team confirmed for the Cape Town encounter.
The updated appointments are:
- Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
- Assistant referee: Karl Dickson (England)
- Assistant referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
- Television Match Official: Brett Cronan (Australia)
- Foul Play Review Officer: Eric Gauzins (France)
The change means Gardner will oversee another chapter in one of rugby’s biggest international rivalries.
Amashukeli had been a familiar figure for South Africa, with the Springboks boasting a 4-1 record in Tests officiated by the Georgian.
Gardner also set for Johannesburg Test
Gardner’s appointment is not limited to Saturday’s match.
He is also scheduled to referee the third Test between South Africa and New Zealand at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September.
Amashukeli will return to the officiating team for that match as an assistant referee, alongside Christophe Ridley.
The fourth Test of the series will take place in Baltimore, USA, on 12 September, with Karl Dickson appointed referee.
Springboks and All Blacks ready for battle
Saturday’s Test kicks off at 17:10 at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, with both teams preparing for another fierce encounter.
The All Blacks have made several changes to the side that featured in their victory over South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend.
Springboks starting XV
- 15 Damian Willemse
- 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
- 13 Jesse Kriel
- 12 Damian de Allende
- 11 Ethan Hooker
- 10 Handré Pollard
- 9 Cobus Reinach
- 8 Jasper Wiese
- 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
- 6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
- 5 Ruan Nortjé
- 4 Eben Etzebeth
- 3 Wilco Louw
- 2 Malcolm Marx
- 1 Ox Nché
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morné van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
All Blacks starting XV
- 15 Damian McKenzie
- 14 Will Jordan
- 13 Quinn Tupaea
- 12 Jordie Barrett
- 11 Leroy Carter
- 10 Ruben Love
- 9 Cam Roigard
- 8 Ardie Savea (captain)
- 7 Luke Jacobson
- 6 Simon Parker
- 5 Tupou Vaa’i
- 4 Fabian Holland
- 3 Tyrel Lomax
- 2 Codie Taylor
- 1 George Bower
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
The big question
With the referee change confirmed and the All Blacks reshuffling their lineup, another intense battle awaits in Cape Town.
The Springboks will be looking to respond after last weekend’s result, while New Zealand will aim to build momentum in the series.
Will Angus Gardner’s appointment have any impact on Saturday’s Test?
