| Full name | André Jacobus Watson | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 April 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Germiston, South Africa | ||
| School | Maria van Riebeeck Primary Goudrif High School |
||
| University | Stellenbosch University University of the Witwatersrand |
||
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Current status | |||
| Position(s) | Referee | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Fly half | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| Stellenbosch University University of the Witwatersrand |
|||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| Transvaal Schools XV | |||
| Refereeing career | |||
| Years | Competition | Apps | |
| – 2004 1996 – 2004 |
Currie Cup Super Rugby Tests |
100 28 |
|
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]
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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][6]
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.[7]
He took up refereeing in 1987, becoming a full-time referee in 1995.[7][8]
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]
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.[6]
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]
He is, as of 2011, the Manager of Referees for the South African Rugby Union.[12]
| Preceded by 1995 Ed Morrison |
Rugby World Cup Final Referee 1999, 2003 André Watson |
Succeeded by 2011 TBA |
| Preceded by 1998 Paddy O'Brien |
Super Rugby Final Referee 1999, 2000 André Watson |
Succeeded by 2001 Paddy O'Brien |
| Preceded by 2001 Paddy O'Brien |
Super Rugby Final Referee 2002, 2003, 2003 André Watson |
Succeeded by 2004 Jonathan Kaplan |
| Preceded by 1995 Tappe Henning |
Currie Cup Final Referee 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 André Watson |
Succeeded by 2002 Jonathan Kaplan |
| Preceded by 2003 Shaun Veldsman |
Currie Cup Final Referee 2004 André Watson |
Succeeded by 2005 Jonathan Kaplan |