IRB demotes refs Jonker and White

LEADING South African referee Marius Jonker and England’s Chris White have been axed from the group of the world’s top match officials by the IRB.

Jonker, considered one of the top South African officials, has paid a heavy price for his woeful handling of the Scotland-England Six Nations match last month.

An IRB spokesman said Jonker needed to show he had the ability to officiate at the top level.