Kaplan to refree Absa Currie Cup final

Andre Watson, South Africa's manager of referees, said that it had been a most difficult appointment as there was little to choose between Kaplan and Lawrence.

The matter was referred to the SA Referees' executive and to Mr Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU, for a final decision after the referees' selectors could not decide between the two.

The view of coaches was also taken into account before the executive took the decision to appoint Kaplan.

"This obviously gives a very clear indication that both gentlemen, who had refereed superbly throughout the year in all competitions, deserved to referee the final,” said Watson. “Mark Lawrence will be the official reserve referee should Jonathan not be able to referee the game.

"Both referees are worthy of refereeing the final, but, and unfortunately, only one can referee can do so."

SA Referees expressed their best wishes to Jonathan Kaplan for the final and to Mark Lawrence (Sharks v Xerox Lions) and Craig Joubert (Vodacom Blue Bulls v Vodacom Free State Cheetahs) for the semi finals.

It was also announced that Shaun Veldsman has been appointed as the television match official for the final.