Jaco Peyper to referee world cup opener

South Africa’s Jaco Peyper will referee the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening match between hosts France and New Zealand at Stade de France on Friday, 8 September.

With excitement building, World Rugby has announced the match officials appointments for the 40 matches that comprise the pool stages.

In May this year, a team of match officials (12 referees, seven assistant referees and seven Television Match Officials) were selected for the tournament.

The team represents nine nations and has more than 700 Test appearances between them.

Peyper is no stranger to opening matches, having refereed the England versus Fiji opener at Rugby World Cup 2015 at Twickenham.

He will also use a special whistle presented by South African adventurer Ron Rutland, who is cycling 21 000km from Auckland to Paris to deliver the whistle.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 MATCH OFFICIALS

Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Wayne Barnes (England), Nic Berry (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland), Matthew Carley (England), Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy), Christophe Ridley (England), Jordan Way (Australia)

Television Match Officials: Brett Cronan (Australia), Tom Foley (England), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales)