At the age of 43, and after 17 years at the highest level, South African referee Jaco Peyper, who notably officiated at three Rugby World Cups, has decided to retire.
The announcement was made this Friday by the South African Rugby Federation.
The sixth most capped international referee in history with 67 matches, Peyper refereed the opening match of the 2023 World Cup between France and New Zealand and the quarter-final between Wales and Argentina, the last of his 14 World Cup matches, where he had to be replaced after an injury which occurred just after the first Welsh try at the start of the match.
“In addition to becoming one of the best referees in the world during his 17-year career, Jaco has also been a great ambassador for South Africa and a role model for young referees,” congratulated the president of the South African Federation. -African, Mark Alexander.
Jaco Peyper has decided to hang up his whistle: "There are always tough times ... but rugby has only been good to me" - more here: https://t.co/l2TIJUj0Tv 🇿🇦🏉 pic.twitter.com/ j9Uxglcpfq
— Springboks (@Springboks) January 19, 2024
Jaco Peyper, who also held the whistle in the Champions Cup and the Six Nations Tournament, justified his decision by his desire to spend more time with his family.
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It was a great trip, I made many great friends and had the chance to visit many fantastic places around the world,” thanked Peyper in a statement published by the South African Federation on its website. .
All things considered, this may be the best time to step away from arbitration and spend more time with my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters, as well as tend more to my growing business interests
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During the 2019 World Cup in Japan, the South African referee was caught in the heart of a controversy after the elimination of France against Wales (20-19) in the quarter-final.
During the match, he expelled the French second row Sébastien Vahaamahina, guilty of an elbow on the third row Aaron Wainwright, before being photographed, in the company of Welsh supporters after the match, by mimicking the Frenchman's bad gesture .
The South African had apologized for taking part in this photo and was not selected to referee the semi-final between England and New Zealand, before being recalled to officiate on the sidelines during of the third place match.