Andrea Piardi will take charge of Australia against the Springboks in Perth, with the Italian handed another huge Test appointment.
The Wallabies host Rassie Erasmus’ side at Optus Stadium, with Piardi the man in the middle.
The Italian is now firmly established among World Rugby’s leading officials, but supporters may remember an unusual incident involving him earlier this year.
Piardi was forced to leave the field midway through England’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at Allianz Stadium.
Piardi forced off
The 33-year-old started the match with the whistle but pulled up after sprinting to keep pace with an Ireland attack.
After receiving treatment, Piardi called captains Maro Itoje and Caelan Doris together and confirmed he could not continue.
"It's hard for me to say, but I am out [of the rest of the game]," he said.
"My body is gone. Best of luck for the rest of the game."
The official Six Nations match report later confirmed Piardi had suffered a muscle injury.
French referee Pierre Brousset, who had been working as an assistant, took over the whistle for the rest of the match.
Who is Andrea Piardi?
Piardi has enjoyed a rapid rise through the refereeing ranks.
A former player himself, his playing days were cut short by a knee injury before he committed to refereeing in 2012.
His breakthrough came in 2024 when he became the first Italian to referee a men's Six Nations match, taking charge ofIreland against Wales in Dublin.
The URC describes Piardi as a history-maker for Italian refereeing, with his appointments now spanning the Six Nations, Rugby Championship and British & Irish Lions.
He was also handed one of the biggest matches
