Poite to ref Boks’ first Test

Romain Poite will be the man in the middle when the Springboks host Wales in Durban on 14 June.

Poite was the referee when the Boks played the All Blacks in a crucial  Rugby Championship Test at Eden Park last year. The Frenchman made a series of incorrect calls during that fixture, including the sending off of Bok hooker Bismarck du Plessis. They were decisions that cost the Boks the match, as they were forced to play most of the second half with only 14 men.

On Tuesday, the IRB released the list of referees and assistant referees who will do duty during the 2014 June Test window. Poite will referee the Boks' first match against Wales in Durban, and will serve as an assistant referee in the Boks' subsequent two matches in Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth.

Steve Walsh will take charge of the Boks' second Test against Wales on 21 June. Glen Jackson will handle the Test between South Africa and Scotland on 28 June.

IRB Match Official Selection Committee Chairman John Jeffrey said: 'As always, referees are accountable for the quality of their games and these appointments have been made following careful consideration to recent performances at elite level, including the Six Nations and other international matches.

'We continue to consult with coaches and teams in making our selection decisions. I’d like to thank the unions for their commitment and full support to this official channel of feedback.

'The matches and tournaments around June allow us to test the very best match officials at the highest level. We are building our squad towards next year’s Rugby World Cup in England and every big game is an opportunity for established referees to cement their place and also for emerging match officials to stake their claim.'

An IRB statement confirmed that the selection system allows for movement in and out of the panel based on performance.

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

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