The game of rugby can not function without match officials. SA Rugby's Referee Department oversees the appointment of match officials to all SARU competitions, the Varsity Cup and Shield, as well as various other tournaments such as the U18 Craven and Academy Weeks, U16 Grant Khomo Week, and the U16 and U18 Girls Weeks to name a few.
SA Rugby Panel referees are also appointed as Assistant Referees and side-line personnel during international Test matches and international tournaments in South Africa.
The Referee Department offices are situated at SARU House in Plattekloof, Cape Town and their structure is made up as follows:
- General Manager: Banks Yantolo
- Manager Performance Enhancement: Mark Lawrence
- Community Manager: Deon v Blommestein
- Manager Talent Development Identification: Eugene Daniels
- Operational Manager: Eugene de Villiers
- Administration: Lettie Coetzee
All local appointments, such as clubs and schools, are done by the 15 provincial referee societies.
