The experienced Mark Lawrence will referee his second Absa Currie Cup Final when he takes charge of the match between the MTN Golden Lions and The Sharks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The 46-year-old Lawrence, who recently announced his retirement from international match officiating, refereed the Absa Currie Cup Final in 2007 and the Vodacom Super 14 Final in 2008.
“Mark has consistently been one of the best referees in South Africa, if not the world, and his appointment to the Absa Currie Cup Final is just reward for his superb performances not only this season, but throughout his career.
“The decision has not been easy as we are blessed with some very good referees who are capable of refereeing finals. The performances of Marius Jonker and Jaco Peyper in the semi-finals are testimony to this,” said André Watson, General Manager of the South African Rugby Referees Association.
Lawrence will be assisted by Stefan Breytenbach and Christi du Preez as Assistant Referees, with Marius Jonker as Reserve Referee, while Johan Meuwesen has been appointed Television Match Official.
Quinton Immelman has been appointed the Referee for the Absa Under-21 A Division Final between the Blue Bulls and the Sharks, with Rasta Rasivhenge and Cobus Wessels (ARs) and JC Fortuin (TMO) assisting.
In the Absa Under-19 A Division Final, Rasta Rasivhenge has been appointed Referee, Tiaan Jonker and Reuben Rossouw are the Assistant Referees and Fortuin is the TMO.
The Absa Currie Cup Final kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday. The U21 Final is at 14:30 and and U19 Final starts at 12:30. All games will be televised live on Supersport.