The Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) has backed the decision of the Western Province Referees Society not to officiate any club rugby games this weekend.

Following a meeting between the WPRFU Executive and the Referees Society on Thursday, all club rugby fixtures this weekend have been postponed and a Memorandum of Agreement was signed addressing all of the concerns raised.

WPRFU has never condoned abusive behaviour towards referees and will continue to take active steps to deal with any such incidents in club rugby in the future.

Any club or individuals engaged in the abuse or intimidation of referees will face formal disciplinary action, which could result in referee services being withheld from future games at that club.

Rugby cannot be played without referees and it is vital that they are respected at all levels of the game.