As the Springboks prepare to launch their high-intensity 2026 Test season against England this Saturday at Ellis Park, all eyes won’t just be on the players. Managing the inevitable fire and physical niggle of this massive rivalry will fall on the shoulders of New Zealand referee James Doleman.
Doleman, a rising star on World Rugby’s elite panel who honed his skills with over 100 matches on the Sevens circuit, will take charge of the middle in Johannesburg. He will be flanked by an experienced northern hemisphere assistant team, with fellow Kiwi Richard Kelly anchoring the TMO box.
The appointments also lock in the match officials for the rest of South Africa’s July campaign, with France’s Pierre Brousset taking the whistle against Scotland at Loftus, and Ireland’s Andrew Brace overseeing the final clash against Wales in Durban.
Springboks July Test Match Officials
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Head Referee | Assistant Referees | TMO |
| Sat, 4 July | Springboks vs England | Ellis Park, Joburg | James Doleman (NZR) | Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Pierre Brousset (FFR) | Richard Kelly (NZR) |
| Sat, 11 July | Springboks vs Scotland | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Pierre Brousset (FFR) | James Doleman (NZR) & Andrew Brace (IRFU) | Richard Kelly (NZR) |
| Sat, 18 July | Springboks vs Wales | Kings Park, Durban | Andrew Brace (IRFU) | Pierre Brousset (FFR) & James Doleman (NZR) | Olly Hodges (IRFU) |
Full Nations Championship Schedule (Weeks 1–3)
All kick-off times are listed in South African Standard Time (SAST).
Saturday, 4 July 2026 (Week 1)
- New Zealand vs France (09:10) — Ref: Luke Pearce (RFU) | TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- Japan vs Italy (10:40) — Ref: Nic Berry (RA) | TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
- Australia vs Ireland (12:10) — Ref: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) | TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
- Fiji vs Wales (15:10) — Ref: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) | TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
- Argentina vs Scotland (21:10) — Ref: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) | TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Saturday, 11 July 2026 (Week 2)
- Australia vs France — Ref: Karl Dickson (RFU) | TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
- New Zealand vs Italy — Ref: Luc Ramos (FFR) | TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
- Argentina vs Wales — Ref: Paul Williams (NZR) | TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
- Japan vs Ireland — Ref: Andrea Piardi (FIR) | TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
- Fiji vs England — Ref: Hollie Davidson (SARU) | TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Saturday, 18 July 2026 (Week 3)
- Australia vs Italy — Ref: Christophe Ridley (RFU) | TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
- New Zealand vs Ireland — Ref: Nic Berry (RA) | TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
- Argentina vs England — Ref: Angus Gardner (RA) | TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
- Japan vs France — Ref: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) | TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
- Fiji vs Scotland — Ref: Matthew Carley (RFU) | TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
