Aimee Barrett-Theron: Changing the face of the 'man' in the middle

This weekend is another big milestone for South African Women's Rugby as the country’s very own Aimee Barrett-Theron will make history at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 37-year-old South African will become the first female to referee 40 Tests when she takes charge of the England versus New Zealand match on September 14 at Twickenham.

It is an incredible achievement for Barrett-Theron, who was the first professional female referee in South Africa.

"It is amazing to think, this is where I’m at,” the 2021 and ‘22 Referee of the Year told @rugby365com.

"It's amazing to think it’s the most in the world.

"I think sometimes we as South Africans feel very far away from the rest of the world.

"And now being able to put South Africa on the map with this, and sharing it with a good friend of mine in England’s Sarah Cox [who will equal Barrett-Therone’s milestone six days later when she referees Wales v Australia in Newport] is special.

"For personal goals it is amazing, and I want more, for the bigger picture I hope other women can see that we can lead the way.

"It is going to be special running out at Twickenham."

From barefoot to the world stage

Born in Cape Town and schooled at Northlands Girls' High School in Durban, Barrett-Theron represented South Africa as a player in three Touch World Cups as well as a Sevens World Cup and one 15s World Cup.

In 2014, she decided to take up a career as a referee after her playing days.

Being very familiar with the male referees’ struggles, Barrett-Theron was under no illusion of the challenges she would face.

From the not-so-flattering comments by spectators to being blocked at the stadium gates, she was eager to change the perception of women referees in rugby and South Africa.

She became the first South African woman to referee Craven Week, Varsity Cup, Currie Cup, Super Rugby, and United Rugby Championship.

She also refereed at the Rio Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Women’s World Cup.

"I always just love everything about rugby, wanted to learn more about and challenge myself with the law of it,” she stated.

"I'm generally a calm person, so my profile fits refereeing.

"After my rugby career, I had people ask me to go into refereeing and it was always at the back of my mind.

"However, knowing the landscape of South Africa, women's opportunities are slim to none.

"So, I decided to change that."

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Celebrating 10 years as an elite referee, Barrett-Theron started officiating an Under-13 game at Tygerberg Rugby Club and three months later had a first shot at a provincial match.

The legend had to quickly find her feet and work her way up, earning respect from women and men in the industry.

"I started refereeing barefoot rugby at Tygerberg Rugby Club and within a couple of games had my first provincial match.

"Being a former Springbok player, they wanted to fast-track me, a baptism of fire. I was thrown into different games and at that stage, I didn't even have a referee jersey.

"But from there I knew it was something I wanted to do. The Rio Olympics was two years away and then World Cup 2017.  I knew I had to work hard."

She explained: "At the beginning, it was really tough, and I don't blame anyone.

"From trying to ref a club game to the parking attendant not believing that I'm the ref and not letting me in the gates.

"So, obviously a good few comments along the way, ‘A woman should not be in sport, what is a woman doing in rugby.’ ‘Oh my gosh is a woman referee what if she developed a crush on a player and does not penalize him’ - that was a legitimate comment.

"All of those things at the beginning were thought. But the more I refereed, the more confident I got. I prepared more and as I gained more experience on the field, I learned to dismiss all of that.

"It is certainly better now, and I think I get more respect because I am a woman.

"The way they [the players] approach me is different from how they approach men, so it is a good place now, but it certainly was not easy getting here. "

Exciting time for Bok women

While Barrett-Theron flies the flag abroad, the Bok Women team has also created a big sense of optimism.

The side recorded their first win over the Barbarians and are now preparing to take on Spain before they host the WXV 2.

"It is so good for the girls. They have come so far.

"Having been in the system, my first test was in 2008 and I played sevens a couple of years before that as well.

"Just to see the difference between the professionalism and where they are now. They are competing," said Barrett-Theron.

"WXV 2 is the next top six teams in the world, got some strong teams including Australia coming down, just so exciting.

"Some of them are still my teammates, some I use to ref. I'm just so excited for Women's Rugby in South Africa.

"It has been a hard battle but we are making massive ground.

"It is so good that SA Rugby are on board supporting the girls. We have 150 professional contracts coming next year and we are in a good place.

"South Africans are renowned for their physicality and hard tackles and we have the potential to be more amazing than we are right now."