Schools referee again attacked

The match was a semifinal between the Golden Lions champions (Helpmekaar) and the Blue Bulls champions (Oos-Moot) at Oos-Moot.

The spectator, a man, may well have been angry with a late decision by the referee, Esterhuizen, a member of the Blue Bulls Referees' Society, an experienced referee in his ninth season of refereeing.

With Helpmekaar leading 24-19 and time virtually up, Oos-Moot came on the attack and fullback Tiaan Bedford took a pass and fell over to score a try. But the referee pulled him back for a forward pass. No try, and Helpmekaar won. The referee went off to change and when he came out of the changing room an angry spectator was there. Esterhuizen hastened to his car, followed by the irate man. Esterhuizen got into his car but is said to have been struck twice in the face by the spectator.

In his haste to get away Esterhuizen banged into a Mercedes parked there. He left and the irate spectator left in a bakkie. As he drove off, spectators photographed the bakkie.

Esterhuizen reported the incident to the Villiera police station and laid a charge of assault.

The Blue Bulls Rugby Union received a report and also photographs taken by spectators. The number plate of the bakkie is clearly visible.

There was a panel assessor, Pieter White, at the match and he rated Esterhuizen's performance very highly.

Afterwards Esterhuizen said: "It was an enjoyable, seesaw match to referee. I was shocked by the incident, but I am not going to leave it there.

"I intend to take the matter as far as I can."

The schoolboy players behaved far better than the adult. At the end of the match they formed a tunnel for the Helpmekaar players to honour them for their victory in a tough match.