Nika Amashukeli will referee the third Test between South Africa and New Zealand at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 5 September, with kick-off scheduled for 17:10.
The Georgian official has been given one of the most significant appointments of his career for a match that could prove decisive in the four-Test series, which is currently level at 1-1.
Amashukeli had originally been selected to officiate the second Test at Cape Town on 29 August, but illness prevented him from taking charge. Australian referee Angus Gardner replaced him for that match, which South Africa won 33-26 to draw level in the series.
World Rugby later confirmed that Amashukeli would return for the third Test, putting him at the centre of one of international rugby’s most prominent rivalries.
The 31-year-old, who will turn 32 later this month, was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1994. Before becoming a referee, he played rugby after joining Georgian club Jiki at the age of 11.
Amashukeli played mainly as a flanker and centre and represented Georgia at age-group level. However, a series of injuries brought his playing career to an early end. By his early 20s, he had suffered several concussions alongside ankle and knee injuries.
He remained involved in the sport by moving into refereeing, where his progress was swift. His development eventually led to international appointments and a growing role in the professional game.
In 2022, Amashukeli became the first referee from outside the traditional Six Nations nations to take charge of a Six Nations match when he officiated Ireland against Italy.
He later refereed at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and has since added major assignments in the Champions Cup, Top 14 and United Rugby Championship to his international portfolio.
Saturday’s match will be another important step in his rise through the refereeing ranks. South Africa and New Zealand go into the contest knowing that victory would move the winning side closer to claiming the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Amashukeli will be assisted by Gardner and England’s Christophe Ridley. France’s Eric Gauzins has been appointed as the television match official (TMO).
The Georgian has refereed South Africa on four previous occasions. The Springboks have won three of those matches, including the only previous encounter in which he had charge of a game involving New Zealand.
South Africa have also recorded victories against Wales and Argentina with Amashukeli as referee. Their sole defeat under his whistle came against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in November 2022.
His appointment at FNB Stadium represents another major milestone for a referee whose career began as a young Georgian rugby player before injuries redirected him towards officiating at the highest level.
