South African women referees earn prestigious Six Nations appointments

SA RUGBY has hailed a landmark moment for women’s officiating after three South African referees received appointments for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations competitions in Europe and beyond.

Aimee Barrett-Theron will make history when she becomes only the second woman in the world to referee 50 Test matches, following England’s Sara Cox. Barrett-Theron’s milestone will be reached during the Women’s Six Nations opener on 11 April, when France hosts Italy in Grenoble.

Her achievement places her among elite company in South African rugby. She will become just the fourth South African match official to take charge of 50 Tests, joining Jonathan Kaplan, Craig Joubert, and Jaco Peyper.

Barrett-Theron’s international schedule does not end there. She will travel to Kansas City in the United States to officiate the Pacific Four Series clash between Canada and New Zealand on 17 April. She is also set to referee the Six Nations encounter between Scotland and France in Edinburgh on 9 May, underlining her status as one of the leading referees in the women’s game.

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander praised the governing body’s Referees Department for its sustained investment in developing women match officials.

“The work done by our Referees Department to uplift and upskill our women’s match officials has just been amazing,” said Alexander. “Over the years, Aimee has cemented her name as one of the top referees in the world, and to reach 50 Tests is a well-deserved accolade.”

Joining Barrett-Theron in the Women’s Six Nations is Zoe Naude, who continues her steady rise on the international stage. Naude refereed her first Test in September 2024 when the Bok Women faced Spain at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. She has now been appointed to officiate the Six Nations clash between Scotland and England in Edinburgh on 18 April.

Meanwhile, Giana Viljoen will feature in the inaugural U21 Women’s Six Nations series, which runs from 18 April to 10 May. Part of World Rugby’s Talent ID programme, Viljoen is among seven match officials selected for the nine-match tournament. She will referee France versus Scotland in Tarbes on 2 May and Wales against Ireland in Caerphilly on 10 May.

Alexander said Naude and Viljoen are following the path paved by Barrett-Theron and represent the next generation of elite South African referees.

“We are very proud of them and would like to wish them all the best on the missions ahead,” he added.

The trio’s appointments highlight South Africa’s growing influence in women’s rugby officiating and mark another significant step forward for the country’s match officials on the global stage.