Referee makes 'tackle of the season' as he gets too close to the action

The job of a referee isn’t always one that’s envied by peers. They generally have a colossal amount of jobs to do during each match, from officiating each and every law of the game, through to ensuring the peace is kept between the two sides – with all aspects often left thankless.

One of the jobs an official doesn’t have, however, is to get physically involved in the match…let alone make a tackle. Well, that’s exactly what the man in the middle did during a recent schoolboy match between Wynberg Boys’ High School and Durbanville High School.

Getting a little too close to the action, the official pulled off an almost perfectly timed tackle on the onrushing HSD attacker but sadly injured himself in the process. He has reportedly since made a full recovery despite the initial knee-on-head collision.

Check out the scenes here:

Off the ball tackle, sir! 😬 #rugby #southafricanrugby pic.twitter.com/eNWbr0VWCR

— Jack Tunney (@JackTunneyRugby) April 8, 2024

The weekend saw Wynberg Boys’ High School and ‘Hoërskool Durbanville’ take part in a total of 17 matches against each other throughout all the age groups and gradings, with WBHS winning all but two of their matches.

Clearly a proud rugby school, WBHS boast on their website:

“With over a century of rugby experience and excellence, Wynberg Boys’ High School boasts not only one of the highest level schoolboy rugby teams in the country, but also has had a significant impact on school rugby throughout South Africa. Our learners have demonstrated excellence at provincial and national level, both in school and in professional capacities; several of our students have gone on to represent the country as Springboks.”