with South African Referees April 2009 Gallo Images/ Getty Images referee. To stay in the top echelon of refereeing for such a long time says much about Jonathan’s passion 50 ‘Kaps’ and understanding of the game and also his dedication in ensuring he Jonathan Kaplan became keeps in the right shape to referee at the first referee to register 50 the highest level. In an environment Test caps. He celebrated his where refereeing is coming more and more under the spotlight, Jonathan half century when he took is an outstanding role model for up charge of the Six Nations clash and coming refs. From an IRB point between Scotland and Ireland of view it is hoped that Jonathan at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. In- continues to referee in the form he touch found out what notable is in for some time to come. I know he enjoyed the moment of his 50th figures in SA and international but Jonathan’s biggest strength rugby circles had to say is that the attention drawn to his about Jonathan’s superb achievement will not impact on his achievement: performance in the future.’ Peter de Villiers (Springbok coach) André Watson ‘Congratulations to Jonathan on Jonathan has said that his funniest moments on the ‘Jonathan’s 50th is a mile stone field are when he is in the wrong place at the wrong in refereeing that will probably be achieving this remarkable milestone. time. It happened again in his 50th Test. Jonathan is an excellent match surpassed one day, but not soon. To official who is held in high regard the years to develop South Africa’s me, a referee’s 50th is even more of by the local and international rugby elite referees. From his very earliest an achievement than a player getting communities. This achievement is years in the game it was obvious that his 100th cap. Reason is simply that the result of many years of hard Jonathan was a special refereeing referees do not do nearly as many work, dedication and sacrifice. This talent and his calm authority and Tests in a year as players. Secondly, achievement also reinforces the deliberately low-key style endeared being in the spotlight all the time, fact that South Africa’s top refs are him to players and supporters alike. referees tend to fade or are removed. among the best in the world and that For Jonathan to have become the Jonathan is a stayer. But more the hard work that has gone into first referee to take charge of 50 importantly, he is a great referee training and developing our referees Tests marks him as one of the best that has served the game well and is being rewarded’. there has ever been.’ provided joy to many all over the world. I cannot think of a guy more Oregan Hoskins (SA Rugby Paddy O’ Brien (IRB Referee deserving of this record-breaking President) Manager) achievement than Jonny! The rugby ‘This is a fabulous achievement and ‘Jonathan Kaplan deserves all the world is blessed to have such a class reflects incredible credit not just on accolades he is given in reaching referee and fortunate that he could Jonathan but on the programmes his 50th test milestone and therefore have done his thing on 50 occasions. that have been put in place over being the world’s most capped I hope there are many more!’ 2 4 8 12 In this issue... Craig Joubert Craig Joubert What’s on my mind What’s Paddy’s Patch Paddy’s Referee Courses Referee 1 in-touch What’s on my mind... by André Watson within a few years. So it is with this in mind that the 18 Candidates, 15 Academy and 15 Contender referees will assemble at the same venue used by the National Panel guys for a chance to brush up on their skills. They will experience the work ethic that is required to be successful at the highest level. They will receive intensive, in-depth and specialised coaching at a level and quality they have not experienced before. In addition to the technical knowledge they will gain, the group will also be exposed to the soft skills we expect from a world-class referee. We expect the candidates to develop a team spirit, an ethos of what refereeing is all about in a country like ours. A country where we have among us some of the world’s best referees – including the very first person to blow in 50 tests. In short they will receive all the tools to be the best they can. The rest is up to each of them. What is it that separates people once they’ve had similar training? Is I wonder what rabbits it knowing how to work the system, being crafty or is it talent or is it hunger? are going to jump out It is going to be interesting to see those who step up to of the hat this Easter... the plate and use this opportunity to start making a name for themselves. I wonder who the big names in refereeing n a first for South African rugby, the 48 match will be in a few years’ time, when we look back on their officials participating in this year’s Easter career and find out where they first hit the national stage. tournaments will be assembling beforehand to I wonder which referees are going to jump up and be Ireceive some specialised coaching so as to ensure noticed this Easter... consistency and raise the level of their own game. The Easter tournaments have entrenched themselves Law Books Available as must-attend events across the country for fans The SA Rugby© Laws wanting to experience festival rugby at its best. And this of the Game 2008/2009 year it should be no different, with venues stretching are now available from from Naboomspruit to Johannesburg, Pretoria to Port regional societies. This Elizabeth and Durban to Paarl – and there’s likely others years’ edition also not on SA Rugby’s radar. includes the full ELVs to be used in domestic These tournaments are now established as the proving competitions. grounds for emerging referees, the aspiring youngsters who would like to see themselves on the national stage 2 in-touch ELVs finally taking shape? The wheel The benefits of having greater knowledge in applying the ELV’s were clearly evident during the opening of life round of the 2009 Vodacom Super 14. André Watson While it still feels as if we have been talking and believes that through better interpretation, a more debating rugby for months, even contest has been clearly the 2009 season is created, creating space well underway! for players and more try This edition of In-touch is scoring opportunities. full of interesting news and I found it quite interesting how it mirrors the cycle This can be seen with the try count of life. We start out talking in the early rounds of this year’s about recruitment and the development of players. competition being significantly This is the foundation of what we’re about. If we don’t recruit and groom young referees, we are going higher than in the previous two to be in serious trouble in the years ahead. André seasons. In the first seven matches Watson highlighted a staggering statistic that we of 2009, 45 tries were scored, at are 6,000 referees short of our needs. Recruitment an average of 6.4 per game. This and development is front and centre in our scope of number is nearly twice as high activities this year and you will see more action on this in the near future. as in previous seasons with the 2008 opening round producing 26 Once we’ve identified new talent, there are tries at a worse average of 3.7 per opportunities for up-and-coming referees to gain game and the 2007 opening round exposure and experience, such as the Easter festivals held country-wide. In this edition we feature the top producing 24 tries at an even 12 referees – those making up the National Panel. worse average of 3.4 per game. This is an extremely prestigious place to land because once you’re there; the world really is your oyster. ‘On the evidence of the first round matches it is very clear that the Those on the National Panel become exposed to international travel through the Super 14 and IRB referees are more accurate in the events. From this point, there is the opportunity application of the ELV’s,’ said to earn international honours and become a Test André. ‘This is having a positive referee. Not only does South Africa have four Test spin-off for the game, with lots of whistlemen on the IRB panel but we were the first tries, but also closer contests. country to provide the same referee to two World Cup finals. André Watson, who blew those two finals, was recently the recipient of a special award from the ‘Referees are allowing a contest IRB for his services to refereeing, and being the first at the break down which either referee inducted into the SA Sports Hall of Fame. We results in a team getting quick ball also provided the first referee, Jonathan Kaplan, to reach the milestone of 50 Tests. or there being a turn over. Refs are not calling the rucks too quickly On a sad note we mark the completion of the life and only when they are formed as cycle by mourning the passing of one of the stalwarts per law, which is speeding up play of SA rugby, Prof Tinkie Heyns.