Kaplan to ref Currie Cup Final

Jonathan Kaplan, the world's most capped Test referee, has been appointed to referee the 2009 Currie Cup final.

Jonathan Kaplan, the world's most capped Test referee, has been appointed to referee the 2009 Currie Cup final.

This will be Kaplan's fifth final, putting him third on the list of referees who have officiated in most finals. Andre Watson, who also refereed two World Cup finals, heads the list with seven finals with Steve Strydom on six. Kaplan will now draw level with Freek Burger on five.

Only 24 referees have refereed Currie Cup Finals since 1939. It remains the most sought-after match in South Africa for players and referees, ranking higher than many Tests matches. Kaplan, for example, has refereed more than ten times as many Tests as Currie Cup finals.

Kaplan refereed his first final in 2002 when the Golden Lions played the Blue Bulls. He will now have refereed four of the last five finals, missing out in 2007 when he stayed on longer at the World Cup than some others did.

Marius Jonker and Mark Lawrence have been appointed to the Currie Cup semifinals this weekend and Craig Joubert will handle the First Division final.

Jonker, who comes from Richard's Bay in Zululand, will referee the first seminal between the Sharks and the Free State Cheetahs in Durban. Lawrence, who refereed the 2007 Currie Cup final, will be in charge of the semifinal at Newlands when Western Province play the Blue Bulls.

Joubert, who this year refereed two Bledisloe Cup matches, will referee the First Division final for the second time. The final between the Pumas and South Western Districts is to be played at Witbank on Friday evening.