Zimbabwean Abigail Govere goes down in history this week by becoming the first female touch judge in the annals of Natal rugby.
Govere will officiate in the preliminary stage of the Supersport National Club Championships in Durban from Monday until Friday.
Govere, who has been a referee for two seasons, was the only woman present at the official launch of the tournament in Durban on Sunday night.
The role of club rugby was outlined as being critical in the future efforts to restore South African rugby to all its former glory.
Matches will be played on a knock-out basis at the Durban Varsity grounds on Monday and again on Wednesday with the finals set for the Absa Stadium on Friday.
They will follow closely on the format used so successfully at the Toyota Easter Championships which, for many years was one of the highlights of the South African rugby calendar.
Eight teams will take the field seeking two places in the National finals along with the big guns of South African club rugby. – Sapa