The Free State’s illustrious rugby referee Jaco Peyper (43) announced on Friday, 19 January, that he is retiring. In deciding to hang up his whistle, he ends his fairytale journey that began in 2008.
Peyper’s first test match was in 2011 and he rose to greater heights nationally and internationally, becoming an ambassador for South Africa.
His footprints include him officiating at three men’s Rugby World Cup tournaments, as well as test matches.
The 2023 edition of the Rugby World Cup, staged in France, was his last. He had previously officiated at the 2015 and 2019 tournaments. To date, Peyper has officiated in 67 test matches.
Peyper wrote his piece of history for the country similarly to the Springboks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup men’s tournament in France. He was tasked with officiating the opening fixture between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France on 8 September, in which New Zealand’s All Blacks lost 13 – 27 to the hosting nation.
During the quarter-final fixture between Wales and Argentina, however, Peyper walked off the pitch after suffering a calf injury.
He has refereed in a series of prestigious playoff tournaments, namely the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, the Super Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, and at Currie Cup level.
