There will no neutral referee for the Super rugby final between the Crusaders and South African side the Lions in Johanesburg this weekend.
South African whistleblower Jayco Peyper, who controlled the Lions semi-final win over the Hurricanes, will be in control of the final.
Peyper controversially sinbinned Hurricanes first five Beauden Barrett in the semi-final prompting futher debate over why referees from neutral countries weren't controlling the playoff matches.
South African referee Jayco Peyper Photo: Photosport
New Zealand referee Glen Jackson and another South African Marius van Westhuizen are the assistant referees.
South African Marius Jonker is the television match official.
The chief executive of SANZAAR, Andy Marinos, defended the appointments saying the selection criteria for match appointments "follows a clear tournament policy....that such appointments be merit-based regardless of neutrality."
"This policy is written into the tournament protocols and appointments are made according to this policy on a weekly basis and is also the policy used for the finals last year as well as this year."
"This merit-based policy was reflected with the appointment last year of New Zealand referee Glen Jackson to referee the Hurricanes versus Lions final in Wellington.
He said SANZAAR stands behind the policy and believes the best referees should officiate the best matches regardless of nationality.
