The Springboks are yet to win a match at the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup, but South Africa is still winning on the field.
Gauteng Lions referee, Kim Smit, has been selected to referee a play-off match at the Rugby showpiece in Canada.
Speaking to gsport … for Girls! overnight, Smit confirmed: “I can say I have been selected as a Touch Judge at the WRWC.
"It gives me even more pleasure to announce that it has gone well for me in the tournament and I have now been given a play-off match to referee.”
Smit has already stood as a touch judge in the match between Ireland and France, and Monday’s clash between Australia and France.
In June this year, Smit became only the second woman in South Africa to earn Test referee colours when she was chosen to referee the Springbok Women/Netherlands test match in Durban.
Smit told gsport: “The atmosphere at matches is phenomenal. The support to the players is good, and advertising is everywhere.
About the Springbok women’s two losses in the competition, she said: “The girls looked excited, but focused, strong and well conditioned.
"Sorry to say it did not go our way in the first two rounds, losing to Australia and England.Smit said the standard of play at the tournament is very good, and possibly a few levels up from which we are used to in women’s rugby in SA.
“Some of these countries start playing rugby (national championships) from u/17 which is a great tool to supplement and foster the growth of rugby.
“It is all previously competitive athletes in different sports, example ice hockey, basketball, American football and even ballet that turn to this wonderful game that we call rugby.”
Fellow South African official, Jenny Bentel, who made her international debut as a referee in 2005 is also at the World Cup.
Bentel became the first South African to referee a women’s rugby world cup match when she took charge of the Ireland/France game on the opening day of competition on August 31.
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