SA's Aimee Barrett-Theron to referee 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match

Highly rated South African referee Aimee Barrett-Theron will referee the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match between hosts England and the United States in at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on August 22.

It will be the second time that Barrett-Theron has been handed the honour of refereeing the opening match, having also taken charge of England’s encounter with Spain at 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland.

Barrett-Theron is one of 22 match officials (10 referees, six assistant referees and six Television Match Officials) who were selected for the showcase event in England, which runs from August 22 to September 27 across eight host locations.

South Africa’s Quinton Immelman is also one of the six TMOs selected for the tournament.

Barrett-Theron will be assisted in the opening match by Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) and Maria Heitor (Portugal) with Leo Colgan (Ireland) as Television Match Official and Rachel Horton (Australia) as Foul Play Review Official.

Zimbabwe’s Precious Pazani will also be the first African female from outside South Africa to be part of an officiating team when she runs the touchline in the Pool A match on the opening weekend between Australia and Samoa in Manchester.

Three referees to make Rugby World Cup debuts in the middle, while England's Sara Cox is set to become first female to officiate 50 Tests when she takes control of the match between Japan and Spain on September 7.

Cox will officiate in her fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup, having had appointments as an assistant referee in 2010 and 2014 before refereeing in the last two tournaments.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 panel

Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (Italy), Clara Munarini (Italy), Kat Roche (USA).

Assistant referees: Maria Heitor (Portugal), Jess Ling (Australia), Amelia Luciano (USA), Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe, reserve referee), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales), Holly Wood (England).

Television Match Officials: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Rachel Horton (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Matteo Liperini (Italy), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Ian Tempest (England).