Cox will reach the milestone at Newport’s Rodney Parade on 20th September when Wales host Australia as part of their preparations for the upcoming WXV 2 competition. Aimee Barrett-Theron of South Africa will reach the milestone six days earlier when England host New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, and both will become the only female referees to take charge of 40 Test matches.
Earlier this year, Cox was at Windsor Castle to receive her MBE for services to rugby union from Princess Anne, a renowned rugby lover and patron of the Scottish Rugby Union since 1986.
A trailblazer in rugby refereeing
Hailing from Devon, Sara Cox has been blazing a trail for women in rugby refereeing for over a decade. Her journey began when she transitioned from playing the game - including for hometown club Exeter - to officiating in 2010, a decision born out of her love for the sport and a desire to stay involved. Initially unsure of what lay ahead, Cox’s drive and commitment quickly saw her rise through the ranks. Just a few years later, in 2016, she made history by becoming the world’s first professional female rugby referee.
Her rise in the sport has been meteoric. After earning her first international appointment in 2016, Cox has gone on to officiate at the highest levels of the game, including at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she refereed in the rugby sevens. In 2021, she made headlines again when she became the first woman to referee a Premiership Rugby fixture, officiating a match between Harlequins and Worcester Warriors. This historic moment was followed by another pioneering achievement when she led the first-ever all-female officiating team in the Premiership, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in rugby officiating.
The road to 40 Test matches
Cox's journey to her 40th Test match has been marked by countless highlights and accolades. In 2022, she became the most capped female match official, and she is widely recognised for her ability to control the game with authority, fairness, and poise.
Her first Test match came in 2016 when she officiated a Women's Six Nations match between Italy and France. Since then, Cox has become a regular presence at both the women’s and men’s international levels, officiating in various global competitions. Her technical knowledge, decision-making under pressure, and calm demeanour have made her one of the most respected referees in the sport, paving the way for future generations of female referees and also elevating the standard of officiating in the sport.
Aimee Barrett-Theron has been a standout referee in her own right, and the fact that both women are reaching 40 Test matches together speaks volumes about the progress women have made in rugby officiating. This dual celebration is a significant moment in rugby history, showing how far the sport has come in embracing female officials at the highest levels.
