AJ Jacobs was born in Kimberley, South Africa on 19 March 1985.
He was a prominent rugby player in his youth, representing the Pumas at the 1998 Under-13 Craven Week and the Griffons at the 2001 Under-16 Grant Khomo Week. Thereafter, he played for the Griffons U20 and U21 sides.
Academically, he qualified as a teacher which inadvertently brought him to refereeing where, while still playing club rugby, he began taking charge of school matches. With his talents being spotted early on, he advanced to the South African Rugby Referees' Association's National Panel.
His debut first class game came in 2015 when he refereed the Limpopo Blue Bulls v Golden Lions and moved up to the premier division later that year, officiating the Free State Cheetahs v Griquas in the Currie Cup.
