Springboks need not fear Matthew Carley ahead of All Blacks series

South Africa’s record with Matthew Carley offers little reason for concern before the Springboks begin their four-Test series against New Zealand. The English referee will take charge of the opening match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 22 August.

The Springboks have gone unbeaten in their last seven Tests officiated by Carley. That run followed defeats in their first two matches with the 41-year-old in charge, giving South Africa a clear change in fortunes under the English official.

Their record against the All Blacks is even stronger. South Africa have won all three of their Tests with Carley appointed as referee. The victories were a 31-29 result in Gold Coast in October 2021, a 35-7 win at Twickenham in August 2023 and an 18-12 success at Cape Town Stadium in September 2024.

Carley’s appointment has attracted attention as refereeing and television-match-official decisions have faced increased scrutiny in recent matches. The series will use neutral officiating teams, but concerns remain among supporters that a disciplinary decision or a ruling on a try could influence one of the Tests.

Carley will be supported at Ellis Park by fellow Englishman Karl Dickson and Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli. Scotland’s Mike Adamson is the television match official, while France’s Eric Gauzins has been appointed as the foul-play review officer.

The remaining matches will feature officials from other countries. Amashukeli is scheduled to referee the second Test at Cape Town Stadium on 29 August 2026. Australia’s Angus Gardner will take charge of the third match at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on 5 September, with Dickson appointed for the fourth Test in Baltimore on 12 September.

For the opening fixture, however, South Africa’s recent results point to confidence rather than fear. Carley’s previous three All Blacks Tests have all ended with the Springboks ahead, while their broader seven-Test unbeaten sequence gives them a positive record to take into the series.