Referees to get on-field TVs

South African rugby is to experiment with a new venture that will see referees also taking on the responsibility of television match official.

South African rugby is to experiment with a new venture that will see referees also taking on the role of television match official.

The groundbreaking decision, which will be fully tested in the upcoming Varsity Cup, means that the referee will become solely responsible for making a call.

A television monitor will be situated beyond each dead-ball line and if the official is unsure over a score, he will call for a time-out and will walk to the monitor. He will then put on headphones and inform the TV producer of what he'd like to review.

It is expected that Super 14 warm-up matches and all televised Vodacom Cup fixtures this season will join the Varsity Cup in the experiment.

“Instead of the referees' going 'upstairs' to the television match official to query whether a try has been scored, the on-field referee will be able to consult a television monitor in the in-goal area and decide for himself,” said Manager of SA Referees, André Watson, speaking to rugby365.com.

“It will follow the same protocol as a 'regular' TMO decision, except that the on-field ref will 'act' as the TMO himself.

“It's yet another exciting venture for the Varsity Cup, and the referees involved, and I'm particularly excited to see this experiment in action as I believe we will actually see fewer referrals because the buck stops with the on-field referee – he is the one who will make the final decision, whether he calls for the TMO or not.”