South Africa’s Arno Jacobs made his Test umpiring debut in the ongoing second Test between South Africa and Australia, after being called upon to replace New Zealand’s Chris Gaffaney, who withdrew due to illness.
Gaffaney, appointed alongside England’s Richard Illingworth as an on-field umpire, fell ill in South Africa's first innings and withdrew during the 76th over. Jacobs had originally been named as the fourth umpire, while England’s Richard Kettleborough was the TV umpire.
Under Clause 2.1.4 of theICC Men’s Test Match Playing Conditions published in September 2017, both on-field umpires must be from countries other than those of the competing teams. According to the latest ICC Men’s Test Match Playing Conditions, the third umpire acts as the emergency on-field umpire, and the fourth umpire as the emergency third umpire. Clause 2.2 allows an umpire to be replaced in exceptional circumstances, including illness or injury.
According to the guidelines, Kettleborough should have moved to officiate on the field, while Jacobs should have taken over the role of the TV umpire. However, Jacobs stood as the on-field umpire, while Kettleborough remained the TV umpire.
A tweet suggested Jacobs could not take over as TV umpire because he had never officiated in that role. However, Jacobs has previously served as a TV umpire in three international matches: two men’s T20Is and one women’s ODI.
Chris Gaffaney was taken ill on the first morning. Arno was 4th umpire but couldn’t do 3rd ump because he’s never been TV ump before. So Kettleborough stayed 3rd and Jacobs made his unexpected debut.
— Neil Manthorp (@NeilManthorp) October 19, 2026
Jacobs played 144 first-class games, scoring 8,492 runs at 38.08 with 17 hundreds. He also played 164 List A games, averaging 33.11.
The left-hander also shares a first-class connection with South Africa spinner Simon Harmer, who is currently playing in the Test. Harmer made his top-tier first-class debut for Warriors in March 2011, with Jacobs also featuring for the side. More than 15 years later, Jacobs has made his Test umpiring debut in a match with Harmer in the XI.
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