SA referee Jaco Peyper gets Rugby World Cup opening match

With global excitement building, World Rugby has announced the appointments for the 40 matches that comprise the pool stage of what promises to be the sport's greatest celebration of togetherness.

In May, a team of Emirates Match Officials (12 referees, seven assistant referees and seven Television Match Officials) were selected for the showcase event. The team represents nine nations and has more than 700 test appearances between them. The selection was made on merit.

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 adventurer Ron Rutland, who is cycling 21,000 kilometres from Auckland to Paris to deliver the whistle and raise money for ChildFund Rugby.

On a big opening weekend that will see four referees make their Rugby World Cup debuts in the middle, France's Mathieu Raynal will take charge of England versus Argentina in Pool D, while Australia's Angus Gardner will referee world champions South Africa against Scotland in Pool B.

England's Luke Pearce, meanwhile, will be in the middle for the final match of the pool stage, the Pool C meeting between Fiji and Portugal in Toulouse on 8 October.

The appointments follow confirmation that the Foul Play Review (Bunker) process will operate at Rugby World Cup 2023 after positive initial trials.

Chairman of the Match Officials Selection Committee Graham Mourie said: "I would like to extend my congratulations to the Emirates Match Officials selected for the Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage.

"Like the players, they have earned their place on merit and have worked incredibly hard, making many sacrifices to be in contention for selection. These men and women are not only representing their nations, they are also representing the global officiating fraternity and truly are 'everyone's team', playing their full part in enabling players to perform to their best at our pinnacle men's event and we should all get behind them."

World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Official Manager Joël Jutge added: "The journey to Rugby World Cup is never easy for match officials. There are fewer roles in sport with as much public scrutiny, but I am proud of how the team has responded to the ups and downs, always being open and acting with integrity.

"We arrive at the pool phase having worked incredibly hard. We have a strong bond, a superb work ethic and an unwavering spirit. There is respect and understanding between the officials and the teams and we are now focused on playing our part in what promises to be a very special Rugby World Cup 2023."

RefereesNika 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).

READ MORE: Etzebeth - It's not a warm-up, it's a Test match