Century for Joubert
It is a remarkable feat of consistent quality and of endurance. It something only Steve Walsh (111) and Joubert's friend and mentor Jonathan Kaplan (107) have achieved. It has been a long, well-travelled road for the 38-year-old from Durban.
Joubert's late father, Des, was a provincial referee and a teacher at Maritzburg College. Son Craig went with Father Des to matches and then, while still at Maritzburg College, started refereeing, a programme the great school offered – as Ian Rogers had done before him.
Son Craig then went on a journey Father Des could not have dreamed of. Asked how many provincial matches his father refereed, Craig did not know but it was "for a number of years". It may have got to 10 or so, for in those days there were not nearly as many opportunities as Craig has enjoyed. Des's refereeing journey would have been a trip to Ixopo compared to Crag's journey to the moon. The nature of the game and refereeing is vastly changed.
In 2003 Craig first started refereeing provincial matches. Two years later he refereed his first Test (USA vs Canada) and his first Super Rugby match – Waratahs vs Chiefs in Sydney. He remembers the match well, marvelling at the speed of the game. Fortunately he is a particularly athletic referee and the speed of the game has not bothered him unduly.
On Saturday at Loftus, a ground he loves, Craig will referee his 100th Super Rugby match, an important local Derby – the Bulls against the Lions, near neighbours and fierce rivals.
Craig said it was fitting that he could celebrate this wonderful occasion by taking charge of a local derby.
He also said: “I’m not driven by milestones and 100 is just a number, but I guess this week gives me an opportunity to reflect on 12 years in Super Rugby.
“I love being a part of this competition. I have been a part of a competition that has expanded several times and into several new territories.
“I love that different games within a competition can test you in so many different ways and that teams are able to forge their own identities and bring their own unique style of play. South African derbies have always been special to me and I’m thrilled to run out for the 100th time in Super Rugby this weekend at Loftus.”
He, who has refereed all over the world, is happy refereeing this match at home. As Jonathan Kaplan said of him: "Craig has great respect for rugby's traditions. He is so good for South African rugby."
Craig's career is filled with highlights – IRB Sevens finals, two Currie Cup Finals (2010 & 2014), three Super Rugby Finals (2010, 2013 & 2014) and a World Cup Final (2011), plus numerous awards. And he is also down to referee at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro later this year.
The SARU president, Oregan Hoskins, said: “I would like to congratulate Craig on this outstanding achievement.
“He has been one of the leading referees in the world for the last few years and we are proud to have him in our ranks. Craig has been a fine ambassador for South African Rugby, and we are delighted to see his career grow from strength to strength.
“He has led by example for the younger referees to follow in his footsteps, and I hope to see many of them learn from him.”
Lyndon Bray, SAANZAR's game manager who runs Super Rugby's referees, said: said, “Ever since he entered the refereeing ranks back in the early 2000s as a young man he has shown incredible passion and ambition. He was eager to learn from his peers who had more experience than him and explore new initiatives as the game evolved, and he developed into an incredibly professional athlete and referee.
“Craig has already climbed the mountain in refereeing terms having been rewarded with a Rugby World Cup final. Throughout his career he has never stopped improving, and when challenged with adversity, as often happens in life, he has simply climbed straight back up that mountain.”
“The appointment to his 100th Super Rugby match is testament to that."
Every rugby match needs a referee, and when that referee is Craig Joubert it is good for the game.
rugby365 joins in congratulating Craig Joubert, a gem of a referee.
