ABSA Premiership and National First Division referees have been given an increase for the first time in five years.

Referees in the higher division have been earning R4250 per match before tax since 2011, while their assistants have been pocketing R3312.

The new match fee for Premiership referees is now R4887.50 before tax, which represents a 15% increase, while their assistants will now pocket R3809.38. The fees are applicable to league and cup competitions.

Their National First Division counterparts also received a 15% increase.

The referees in South Africa's second tier now earn R3809.38, while their assistants will get R2515.63 per game.

Match commissioners in the Premier League are now rewarded R4056.25 per match and those handling First Division matches will get R3987.50.

The increase, however, comes at a time when match officials are again under criticism, with Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt on Tuesday evening falling short of rebuking Victor Gomes for his handling of their match against Kaizer Chiefs.

Also recently, Chiefs coach Steve Komphela called for "foreign referees" to handle the Soweto Derby.