Jaco Peyper will be the man in charge for a second successive Sharks home match; the diminutive Free Stater will be the man in the middle when the Durban side take on the mighty Crusaders at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
Peyper oversaw the only other Super Rugby game at Kings Park so far this season, when the Sharks tamed los Jaguares three weeks ago and is generally felt to have acquitted himself reasonably well. As the sort of ref who likes to let the game flow (and is accused of occasionally ignoring breakdown indiscretions to that end), the Sharks are going to have to work extra hard on ball retention this week. Their performance at ruck time at Loftus last week was sub par, providing the Bulls far too much turnover ball.
Such a steady stream of quality ball from which the Crusaders could attack would no doubt spell disaster this week.
Jaco van Heerden and young Cwengile Jadezweni are the assistant referees, with Johan Greeff handed the TMO duties.
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I just lost my appetite
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Forget the referee! Personally, I see many more significant reasons to feel unconfident about our chances this weekend. Unless we improve drastically and play a really good game, the Crusaders are gonna teach us a lesson.
Not too fussed with Peyper – we could have had Jaco van Heerden again.
@Bokhoring (Comment 4) : Agree 200%
Sharks are the only SA side to get a SA ref this weekend.
Only one other is more certain in this life than death and taxes, and that’s the Stormers will get a neutral ref.
I think I prefer an SA ref to an Australasian one for this match to be honest. The ‘let’s get the Japies’ fiasco all those years ago left me with a seemly incurable case of the paranoia when it comes to playing Australasian teams with Australasian refs officiating.
At least we have a 100% win record with him blowing this season!!
@vanmartin (Comment 7) : I’d rather have a neutral ref in one of those boring derby games I guess.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 9) : yup
Peyper has the lowest average points scored by an away team, out of any ref this season (only 13). I see this as a good thing.
With an average of 25 points scored by the home team.
@Seth101 (Comment 11) : hope those averages are kept this week!!!
@Seth101 (Comment 11) : @JD (Comment 12) : I wouldn’t mind seeing the average points by a home side increase this weekend.
@Hulk (Comment 13) : I’d be very happy with a 25-13 Sharks victory.
@Seth101 (Comment 11) : I’m constantly amazed at some of the data that people think to collect and collate. With a third of the competition having been played, although not a foregone conclusion it does seem to speak to the momentum that is permitted the home team by Peyper. Many other variables in play though. As I recall, Peyper was free of controversy and had a decent 6 Nations just past. All I want and expect of a referee is to fairly penalise the crusaders when they engage in forward passes, no-arm tackles, holding players back and that sort of thing that in my mind the crusaders have become renowned for.
@SeanJeff (Comment 15) : don’t forget slowing down ruck balls although the main culprit is gone now!
@SeanJeff (Comment 15) : My biggest concern is slowing ball down at the ruck. Really effective way of robbing the opposing side of momentum.
@JD (Comment 16) : the artful dodger…so glad he’s retired
@SeanJeff (Comment 18) : or as I used to call him the f#&%£¥$€¢ cheater!!!
@JD (Comment 16) : @vanmartin (Comment 17) : snap 😀