Injured Kaplan to be rested

Jonathan Kaplan has been relieved of his Test duties this month to recover for the RWC after being injured in a motorcycle accident.

South African referee Jonathan Kaplan has been relieved of his Test duties in August to allow him to recover for the World Cup, after being injured in a motorcycle accident.

The decision means Kaplan will have enough time to recover before officiating at the tournament in New Zealand, which begins September 9.

He is scheduled to officiate in the Currie Cup before the World Cup to help regain match fitness.

“Rather than rush him back to action, we took the decision to give Jonathan the best possible environment to return to peak fitness and conditioning ahead of the tournament,” said IRB referee manager Paddy O'Brien.

Kaplan had been due to referee England's match against Wales on August 13 and Ireland's game versus France on August 20.