Refs go to Rio

There is a men's panel and a women's panel.

While others are still qualifying, the referees have been chosen and five of them – four men and a woman – are from South Africa as after 92 years rugby is back at the Olympics.

early on the rugby at the Olympics was the 15-aside game, this time it will be the Sevens, for men and for women.

The South Africans who have achieve d this wonderful level of participation are Ben Crouse, Craig Joubert, Rasta Rasivhenge and Marius van der Westhuizen on the men's panel while Aimee Barrett is on the women's panel.

Panels

Olympic Games Men’s Referees Panel: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Federico Anselmi (Argentina), Nick Briant (New Zealand), Ben Crouse (South Africa), Craig Joubert (South Africa), Richard Kelly (New Zealand), Anthony Moyes (Australia), Matt O'Brien (Australia), Taku Otsuki (Japan), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Alexandre Ruiz (France), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa).

Olympic Games Women’s Referees Panel: Aimee Barrett (South Africa), Jess Beard (New Zealand), Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy), James Bolabiu (Fiji), Sara Cox (England), Sakurako Kawasaki (Japan), Rose La Brèche (Canada), Gabriel Lee (Hong Kong), Alhambra Nievas (Spain), Amy Perrett (Australia), Alexandra Pratt (Scotland), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa).

Joubert, who first came to international notice as a Sevens referee has been back refereeing Sevens and Rasivhenge has been refereeing both men's and women's Sevens ad recently refereed the Currie Cup Final and his first Super Rugby match in the 15-man's game.

Aimee Barrett, who played for South Africa in both the 15-aside game and Sevens, made her international debut at Sevens at the tournament in Atlanta last weekend when Alhambra Nievas refereed the final. The women's sevens moves on to Canada while the men head for Singapore.

Jurie Roux, the CEO of SARU, said: “I would like to congratulate Ben, Craig, Marius, Rasta and Aimee for this special achievement, as only the best of the best are selected to officiate at the Olympic Games and World Cups. We are very proud of them all.

“This achievement is a testament of the hard work they have been putting in over the last few months and years, while it is also an indication of their consistency as referees.

“I would like to make a special mention of Rasta’s selection as he has been named on the men’s and women’s referee panels, which is a remarkable achievement.

“I wish all the referees the best of luck as they prepare for the tournament over the next few months, and at the showpiece itself.”