Referee Thando Ndzandzeka, who handled November's Telkom Knockout final between SuperSport United and Platinum Stars, is a surprise omission from the list of South Africa's accredited Fifa match officials for this year.
Instead, a badge has been given to Tshepo Maila, who has never previously taken charge of a Premier Soccer League match.
The list of South Africa's Fifa-accredited officials, the only ones who may handle international matches, was published on the Fifa website yesterday.
Daniel Volgraaf has fallen off. But instead of his place being taken by Ndzandzeka, arguably among the best-performing referees in the first half of the current PSL season, it has been given to Maila.
It is something of a surprise that Maila is suddenly considered good enough for international duty when he has not been given any PSL assignments yet. Two years ago, Maila was among a number of referees who failed fitness tests, according to the SA Football Association website.
Ndzandzeka, however, blew at the Cosafa youth tournaments last year.
Safa is the body that nominates referees to Fifa for international duty. Rarely does the world football governing body reject the recommendations of the national association.
Retaining their place on the Fifa panel are (in order of seniority) Daniel Bennett, Victor Gomes, Victor Hlungwani, Lwandile Mfiki, Kulasande Qongqo and Naasif Julius.
New on the panel of assistant referees is Songezo Xalakhe, another with no PSL experience. But Peter Chauke, the other newcomer, has at least run the line regularly in PSL matches.
The assistant referees who remain on the list (also in order of seniority) are Zakhele Siwela, Lindikhaya Bolo, Sandile Dilikane, Johannes Moshidi, Stevens Khumalo and Thembisile Windvoel, a controversial appointment previously after also failing fitness tests.
TV Highlights
Today
Cricket: Fourth Test, day 3, Australia vs India at 1.30am (and day 4 at 1.30am tomorrow) on SS2; Big Bash, Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat at 10.05am on SS2
Golf: South African Open from Glendower at 10.30am and 2.20pm on SS1/CSN
Soccer: Caf Awards Ceremony at 10pm on SS4
Tennis: WTA Brisbane International at 11am and 3am (tomorrow) on SS6; Hopman Cup, Canada vs Italy at 4am, Czech Republic vs US at 11am, France vs Poland at 4am (tomorrow), all on SS7
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