Dickson to referee ABs-Boks blockbuster as Rugby Championship officials confirmed

New Zealand are putting their 31-year unbeaten record on the line on September 6 as they take on the back-to-back world champions at the Auckland venue in a battle between the world's No 1 and 2 sides.

Englishman Karl Dickson has been given the big responsibility to referee the titanic clash at Eden Park and will be assisted by two other experienced officials in Georgian Nika Amashukeli and Australian Jordan Way.

The Rugby Championship kicks off on August 16 with South Africa facing Australia in Johannesburg, officiated by New Zealander Ben O'Keeffe. Later that day, Frenchman Pierre Brousset will oversee the Argentina vs New Zealand clash in Cordoba.

The tournament wraps up on October 4, with England's Matthew Carley refereeing Australia vs New Zealand, and Italy's Andrea Piardi taking charge of the final match between Argentina and South Africa at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.

It will be Piardi's second assignment of the tournament, having also officiated the Eden Park meeting between the All Blacks and Wallabies - a year after becoming the first Italian to referee a Rugby Championship match.

"Our collective focus continues to be on delivering the best match officials for the world's best tournaments," World Rugby referee manager Joel Jutge said.

Saturday, August 16

South Africa vs Australia - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR); Assistants: James Doleman (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Argentina vs New Zealand - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR); Assistants: Nic Berry (RA), Morne Ferreira (SARU)

Saturday, August 23

South Africa vs Australia - DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Referee: James Doleman (NZR); Assistants: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Argentina vs New Zealand - Estadio Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires

Referee: Nic Berry (RA); Assistants: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Morne Ferreira (SARU)

Saturday, September 6

Australia vs Argentina - Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Referee: Paul Williams (NZR); Assistants: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU)

New Zealand vs South Africa - Eden Park, Auckland

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU); Assistants: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)

Saturday, September 13

Australia vs Argentina - Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Christophe Ridley (FFR); Assistants: Paul Williams (NZR), Sam Grove-White (SRU)

New Zealand vs South Africa - Sky Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU); Assistants: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA)

Saturday, September 27

New Zealand vs Australia - Eden Park, Auckland

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR); Assistants: Matthew Carley (RFU), Morne Ferreira (SARU)

South Africa vs Argentina - Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA); Assistants: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Angus Mabey (NZR)

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