Springbok vs Wales

Dave McHugh, the former Irish referee, was my coach for the last three or four years of my career. He was out there refereeing South Africa v New Zealand in ...

They are going to have to get parity in the physical aspects of it. The stadiums will be passionate and the Springboks will want that physical encounter against us which is the way they like to play the game. But this is going to be a different level for him now. They need to know who are going to be the 12 referees going to the World Cup in France next year. It’s going to be really tough for us. When you are in some of the grounds in New Zealand and Australia, because they are shared with cricket, the atmosphere is not as intense. The supporters, for their part, will be desperate to get back into the grounds. When they are full, you are playing against the country then. But it’s different in South Africa where the crowd are right on top of you. This series against Wales will be their first chance to get the fans out and fill the stadiums since Covid, with the restrictions on crowd numbers being lifted. He was out there refereeing South Africa v New Zealand in 2002 when a big Springbok fan got so agitated with his decisions he ran on the pitch and tackled him. But it’s also a very difficult place to go and referee because they are so passionate about their rugby and when they lose they are not happy at all!