Argentina v Springboks: World Rugby confirm referee change as Englishman handed key role
Christophe Ridley (pictured) during a PREM Rugby fixture in 2025/26 - Credit: David Wild/Alamy
World Rugby have announced a referee change for Argentina’s Test against the Springboks, with RFU official Christophe Ridley now taking charge.
The change comes after Frenchman Pierre Brousset suffered an injury in training and was deemed unavailable.
Ridley is no stranger to the Test environment, most recently refereeing during the Nations Championship, and is also among the officiating teams for the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Boks and the All Blacks.
World Rugby announce referee change for Argentina v South Africa
While Ridley will now be the man in the middle for Saturday’s clash in Buenos Aires, the rest of the officials remain the same, with Luc Ramos and Craig Evans the assistant referees and Ben Whitehouse named the TMO.
Fellow RFU official Ian Tempest is listed as the foul play review officer.
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Elsewhere, Argentina are yet to name their match-day 23, but Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus welcomes back a number of key men for their final run-out before they take on the All Blacks in a four-Test series, namely captain Siya Kolisi.
Aphelele Fassi gets the nod at full-back for the Boks, with Edwil van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker on the wings. Canan Moodie and Andre Esterhuizen form the midfield pairing, with the returning Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach the half-back duo.
Captain Kolisi is joined by Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw in the back-row, while returning duo Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth start in the locks. Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar and Boan Venter are named as the front-row.
Erasmus has also opted for a 6:2 split on his bench, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cobus Wiese and Marco van Staden the forward options, while Morne van den Berg and Handre Pollard make up the backs replacements.
Argentina v South Africa details in full
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Date: Saturday, August 8
Kick-off: 16:00 (local ART), 20:00 (UK), 21:00 (France), 21:00 (South Africa), 05:00 (9 August, AEST), 07:00 (9 August, New Zealand), 16:00 (Argentina), 04:00 (9 August, JST), 15:00 (EDT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Luc Ramos (FFR), Craig Evans (WAL)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
READ MORE: Loose Pass: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour’s possible impact on the game’s medium-term future