A Storied Captains’ Fall: Johnny Sexton’s Alleged Tirade and Jaco Peyper’s Rise to Rugby World Cup

by
1 min read
rugby world cup match officials

The Rugby world is currently buzzing with news about two players whose fortunes couldn’t be any more different. Johnny Sexton, the Irish veteran flyhalf and esteemed captain of Leinster, is facing allegations of misconduct. Meanwhile, South African referee Jaco Peyper has been selected for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

Sexton’s Alleged Misconduct

Last month, Leinster suffered a shocking defeat against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup. Sexton, who was absent due to injury, allegedly verbally attacked the match officials after the game. Reports suggest that Sexton hurled derogatory remarks at the officials, even going as far as calling them a “f***ing disgrace.” A video obtained by Sunday newspaper, Rapport, corroborates these claims. City A.M. has reported that Sexton is facing three counts of misconduct and could be banned for up to 10 weeks.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Peyper’s Selection for Rugby World Cup

In contrast, South African referee Jaco Peyper’s fortunes are on the rise. Peyper has been selected for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, along with Marius Jonker, also from South Africa. This will be Peyper’s third consecutive Rugby World Cup, while Jonker will be experiencing his third tournament, having served as a referee and a TMO in previous editions.

Diverse Group of Officials

The Rugby World Cup 2023’s match official contingent comprises 26 Emirates Match Officials from nine nations, bringing a cumulative experience of over 630 test appearances. The officials include 12 referees, seven assistant referees, and seven Television Match Officials. The merit-based selection also features accomplished referees such as England’s Wayne Barnes and the first Georgian match official, Nika Amashukeli.

Joy Neville from Ireland has been selected as the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup, taking up the role of TMO. This diverse group of officials represents Australia, England, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and Wales. Collectively, the 12 referees have 453 tests under their belts, with eight having refereed at a Rugby World Cup.

Pool Phase Appointments

The appointments for the Rugby World Cup pool phase will be announced following the conclusion of the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup preparation matches.

While the drama surrounding Sexton’s alleged misconduct unfolds, the Rugby community is also celebrating the inclusion of diverse and groundbreaking officials such as Neville and Amashukeli. With Peyper standing tall among the match officials, the stage is set for an eventful Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, while Sexton’s fate remains uncertain.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Hannah Kriel is a Cape Town-born journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene—from Bo-Kaap spice routes to Constantia vineyards—for local and international outlets. When she’s not interviewing chefs or tracking the harvest on her grandparents’ Stellenbosch farm, you’ll find her surfing the Atlantic breaks she first rode as a schoolgirl.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

mariah carey la pride
Previous Story

Mariah Carey’s Iconic Performance at Los Angeles Pride

rugby championship world cup warm-up matches Cape Town
Next Story

Springboks Gear Up for Rugby Championship and World Cup Warm-Up Matches

Latest from Blog

Outdoor Cinema Cape Town Events

Five Nights, Five Worlds: Galileo’s December Cinema Safari Through the Western Cape

Get ready for Galileo’s December Cinema Safari, where movies come alive in amazing places! Imagine watching action flicks in a garden, or a highflying movie on a helicopter pad. Each night has tasty food, fun activities, and cool surprises that match the film and setting. It’s five nights of pure movie magic under the stars in the Western Cape. Don’t miss this oneofakind outdoor cinema adventure!

Cape Town Festive Lights

From Angels to Banjos: How Cape Town’s 2023 Festive Lights Sparked a Culture War

Cape Town’s 2023 festive lights sparked a big fight! They swapped out old angel decorations for new ones showing banjo players and carnival masks. This made some people very angry because it changed what Christmas felt like. Others thought it was a good way to show off local culture and history, especially the “Kaapse Klopse” tradition. So, a simple light display turned into a huge argument about culture and who gets to decide what the city looks like.

True crime South Africa

City of Gold, City of Guns: The Mid-Day Murder That Stopped Johannesburg Cold

DJ Warras, a beloved radio star, was tragically murdered in a busy Johannesburg food court. This wasn’t a random robbery, but a planned hit by a ‘reputation guardianship’ gang. These groups extort money from performers and businesses, using violence when people refuse. It seems DJ Warras was killed because he spoke out against them, turning a regular lunch hour into a shocking scene of crime and fear.

Beetle Infestation Cape Town Trees

Silent Sappers: How a Pin-Sized Beetle Is Redrawing Cape Town’s Skyline

A tiny, pinsized beetle is slowly killing Cape Town’s trees. This beetle digs into trees and introduces a deadly fungus that chokes the tree from the inside. The city is fighting back with special teams, tree injections, and even citizen help to track the beetle’s spread. They are planning to replace many trees with stronger native species, but it’s a huge, ongoing battle.