André Watson

André Jacobus Watson (born 24 April 1958) is a South African former rugby union referee. He officiated a record number of finals in the Rugby World Cup (two), the Currie Cup (seven) and Super Rugby (five).[1][2][3][4]

André Watson
Birth nameAndré Jacobus Watson
Date of birth (1958-04-24) 24 April 1958
Place of birthGermiston, South Africa
SchoolMaria van Riebeeck Primary
Goudrif High School
UniversityStellenbosch University
University of the Witwatersrand
SpouseAntionette
Occupation(s)Civil engineer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly half, Referee
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
  Stellenbosch University
University of the Witwatersrand		 ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
  Transvaal Schools XV ()
Refereeing career
Years Competition Apps
2004

1996–2004		 Currie Cup
Super Rugby
Tests		 100

28

Biography

Watson was born in Germiston, Transvaal and attended school at Maria van Riebeeck Primary and Goudrif High School. He later attended Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand before working as an engineer.[5]

Playing career

As a youth Watson played representative rugby for Transvaal Schools XV. While studying at university he played for Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand.[6]

Refereeing career

He took up refereeing in 1987, becoming a full-time referee in 1995.[6][7]

Provincial rugby

During his career he refereed 100 Currie Cup matches including seven cup finals which, as of 2010, is the most by a referee.[1][2]

Watson refereed five Super Rugby finals which is, as of 2011, a record.[3]

International rugby

He made his international debut in 1996 in a match between Australia and Canada. Watson refereed the first of two Rugby World Cup finals when he took charge of the 1999 Rugby World Cup Final between Australia and France in Cardiff.[8]

His second World Cup final was the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final between Australia and England in Sydney.[9] He remains the only referee to have officiated in two finals.[4]

He announced his retirement prior to the July 2004 match between Australia and the Pacific Islanders.[10] He made a comeback three months later, refereeing the first match of the qualification round for 2007 Rugby World Cup between Andorra and Norway.[11]

Post-refereeing career

He was appointed as the Manager of Referees for the South African Rugby Union in 2011.[12] On 3 July 2015, SARU announced that his employment has been terminated after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration decided that a number of grievances lodged against Watson proved to be valid.[13]

References
  1. "Currie Cup Individual Records". SuperSport.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  2. "Currie Cup Final referees". Rugby 365. Primedia Online. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  3. "Super Rugby Final Referees & match officials". SuperXV.com. Sports Digital Media. 7 July 2011. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  4. "A chance to become a ref". SA Rugby Referees. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011. André Watson remains the only referee to have blown the whistle in two Rugby World Cup finals
  5. "Andre Watson". ESPN Scrum. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  6. "Andre Watson". News24. 1 October 2003. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  7. "Yearbook 2008 - Andre Watson". South African Sports and Arts Hall of Fame. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  8. "Referees around the World, K-Z". Rugby 365. Primedia Online. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  9. "Watson honoured again". SA Rugby Referees. 26 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  10. "Top rugby ref Watson to hang up his whistle". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 June 2004. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  11. Souster, Mark (29 June 2004). "Watson back from retirement to referee in Andorra". The Times. Retrieved 6 August 2004.
  12. Lemmer, Craig (4 August 2011). "Three SA refs selected for RWC". sarugby.com. South African Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  13. "SARU terminate André Watson's employment". South African Rugby Union. 3 July 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
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