Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: World Rugby confirm referee changes for Springboks v All Blacks Tests
Angus Gardner (pictured) will now take charge of Test Two of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series
World Rugby have announced referee changes for Tests Two and Three of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the All Blacks and Springboks.
The change comes as Nika Amashukeli has not recovered from illness ahead of this weekend’s Test in Cape Town, with Angus Gardner taking the reins in his place.
Elsewhere, the Georgian official will now take charge of Test Three in Johannesburg on Saturday, September 5.
World Rugby confirm match official changes for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests
Gardner’s promotion to referee for this Saturday’s Test in Cape Town also means Scottish official Sam Grove-White joins the wider officiating group this weekend as assistant referee.
He joins RFU official Karl Dickson, who has been appointed as assistant referee, television match official (TMO) Brett Cronan and foul play review officer (FPRO) Eric Gauzins in the extended team.
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In a statement, World Rugby said: “World Rugby has confirmed updated Emirates Match Official appointments for the second and third tests of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in South Africa.
“Angus Gardner (Australia) will now referee this weekend’s test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town as Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) has not recovered from illness.
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“Brett Cronan (Australia) will act as his Television Match Official with Eric Gauzins (France) becoming Foul Play Review Officer and Sam Grove-White (Scotland) replacing Gardner as an assistant referee.”
These changes have also led to an alteration for Test Three in Johannesburg, with the Georgian official now appointed as the match official that weekend instead. He will be joined by Gardner, who keeps his role as an assistant for the Test, and RFU official Christophe Ridley.
Gauzins also takes the TMO role in Test three, while Cronan will serve as FPRO.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry updated appointments in full
Test Two
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 17:10 (South Africa), 01:10 (23 August, AEST), 03:10 (23 August, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (23 August, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Test Three
Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
Kick-off: 17:10 (local SAST), 16:10 (UK), 17:10 (France), 17:10 (South Africa), 01:10 (23 August, AEST), 03:10 (23 August, New Zealand), 12:10 (Argentina), 00:10 (23 August, JST), 11:10 (EDT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) and Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
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