The Springboks will have a New Zealand referee in charge for their opening 2025 Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Johannesburg on Saturday, 16 August.
The clash at Ellis Park will kick off at 17:10.
Ben O’Keeffe, 36, will be the man with the whistle.
He will be assisted by compatriot James Doleman and Italy’s Gianluca Gnecchi.
France’s Tual Trainini will be the TMO, while New Zealand’s Richard Kelly will be the Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO).
The Springboks have an excellent record with O’Keeffe in charge having won nine, lost two and drawn one of the 12 matches he has officiated to date.
O’Keeffe has taken charge of three previous Springboks vs Wallabies matches – and South Africa are unbeaten having won two and drawn once.
In the only Test O’Keeffe has refereed the Springboks at Ellis Park, South Africa beat England 42-39 in June 2018.
Springboks’ Test record under Ben O’Keeffe
| Date | Opponent | Result | Venue |
| 17 Jun 2017 | France | Win: 37-15 | Kings Park, Durban |
| 30 Sep 2017 | Australia | Draw: 27-27 | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein |
| 11 Nov 2017 | Ireland | Lose: 3-38 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| 9 Jun 2018 | England | Win: 42-39 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
| 18 Aug 2018 | Argentina | Win: 34-21 | Kings Park, Durban |
| 31 Jul 2021 | Britain | Win: 27-9 | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town |
| 3 Sep 2022 | Australia | Win: 24-8 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney |
| 8 Jul 2023 | Australia | Win: 43-12 | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria |
| 23 Sep 2023 | Ireland | Lose: 8-13 | Stade de France, Paris |
| 15 Oct 2023 | France | Win: 29-28 | Stade de France, Paris |
| 21 Oct 2023 | England | Win: 16-15 | Stade de France, Paris |
| 28 Sep 2024 | Argentina | Win: 48-7 | Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela |
Springboks’ 2025 Rugby Championship fixtures
16 August: South Africa vs Australia – Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:10
23 August: South Africa vs Australia – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 17:10
6 September: New Zealand vs South Africa – Eden Park, Auckland – 09:05
13 September: New Zealand vs South Africa – Sky Stadium, Wellington – 09:05
27 September: South Africa vs Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – 17:10
4 October: Argentina vs South Africa – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London – 15:00
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