South African referee Jonathan Kaplan has been relieved of his Test duties in August to allow him to recover for the Rugby World Cup after being injured in a motorcycle accident.

The decision means Kaplan will have enough time to recover before officiating at the tournament in New Zealand, which begins on September 9.

Kaplan is scheduled to officiate in the Currie Cup in South Africa before the World Cup to help regain match fitness.

IRB referee manager Paddy O'Brien says "rather than rush him back to action, we took the decision to give Jonathan the best possible environment to return to peak fitness and conditioning ahead of the tournament."

Kaplan had been due to referee England's match against Wales on August 13 and Ireland's clash with France on August 20.

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