Gabriel Pappas, manager of the Golden Lions referees, has just moved from that post to another post in the Union. The news of his change has travelled far and evoked this response.

I have just read of Gabby's change in career. Could I ask that you could publish on the website an appreciation from all of us from the International official to a humble community referee like myself who have experienced the hospitality of Gabby and his family.

The generous welcome and the exposure to South African rugby be it refereeing at St Stithians or St John's, the visit to Ellis Park and the referees' bar with the wall of shirts, meeting Hugh Bladen in said bar and being regaled with so many stories!, the trip down a gold mine or to the Rand Show.

It was an experience that money could not buy and will remain as a fond memory for ever.

It is only as the years pass by that you come to appreciate all the hard work that is done by so many people in the background generating the platform for the development of match officials. Gabby is a shining example!

John Davies, Warwickshire Society of Referees UK