Carl Spannenberg

{{Short description|South African rugby referee}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Use South African English|date=April 2024}}

Carl Moses Spannenberg (10 August 1968 – 11 November 2001) was a South African rugby union referee. He was one of the first four professional referees appointed in South Africa.{{cite news |title=RUGBY REF FOUND IN WATERY GRAVE |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2001-11-16-rugby-ref-found-in-watery-grave/ |work=The Mail & Guardian |date=16 November 2001 |accessdate=5 April 2024 }} As well as officiating in South Africa, he also took charge of 10 matches in Super Rugby between 1996 and 2001 and three tests between 1996 and 1998. In May 2001, Spannenberg was charged with "driving under the influence of alcohol".{{cite news |title=Rugby: Super 12 referee on drink driving charge |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-super-12-referee-on-drink-driving-charge/USBY7XTXH3UEZGWXSQ7Z5PPHCE/ |work=NZ Herald |date=17 May 2001 |accessdate=5 April 2024 }} He was also accused of sexual assault against a Griquas player following a Vodacom Cup match against the Blue Bulls in April 2001.{{cite news |first=Brenden |last=Nel |title=Under-fire Spannenberg gets nod for big game |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/under-fire-spannenberg-gets-nod-for-big-game-495758 |work=IOL |date=7 May 2001 |accessdate=5 April 2024 }} On 11 November 2001, he went on a boat ride with friends at Zeekoevlei. He reportedly jumped from the boat and drowned; a friend who almost drowned trying to save him was rescued by divers and taken to hospital.{{cite news |title=Referee Spannenberg reportedly drowned |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/15359146/referee-spannenberg-reportedly-drowned |website=ESPNscrum |date=12 November 2001 |accessdate=5 April 2024 }} Spannenberg's body was found three days later.{{cite news |title=Spannenberg's body found |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/spannenbergs-body-found-20011114 |website=News24 |date=14 November 2001 |accessdate=5 April 2024 }} A minute's silence was held at the Durban Sevens tournament at which he was due to officiate the following weekend.{{cite news |first=Norman |last=Joseph |title=Police divers find body of missing rugby ref |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/police-divers-find-body-of-missing-rugby-ref-76913 |work=IOL |date=14 November 2001 |accessdate=5 April 2024 }}