| Born | André Jacobus Watson (1958-04-24)24 April 1958 (age 67) Germiston, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| School | Maria van Riebeeck Primary Goudrif High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University University of the Witwatersrand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Civil engineer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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André Jacobus Watson (born 24 April 1958) is a South African formerrugby union referee. He officiated a record number of finals in theRugby World Cup (two), theCurrie Cup (seven) andSuper Rugby (five).[1][2][3][4]
Watson was born inGermiston,Transvaal, and attended school at Maria van Riebeeck Primary and Goudrif High School. He later attendedStellenbosch University and theUniversity of the Witwatersrand before working as an engineer.[5]
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]
He took up refereeing in 1987, becoming a full-time referee in 1995.[6][7]
During his career he refereed 100Currie Cup matches including seven cup finals which, as of 2010, is the most by a referee.[1][2]
Watson refereed fiveSuper Rugby finals which is, as of 2011, a record.[3]
He refereed his last super rugby game in 2004 which was the final, and askedMark Bartholomeusz for his jersey.
He made his international debut in 1996 in a match betweenAustralia andCanada. Watson refereed the first of twoRugby World Cup finals when he took charge of the1999 Rugby World Cup final between Australia andFrance in Cardiff.[8]
His second World Cup final was the2003 Rugby World Cup final between Australia andEngland in Sydney.[9] He remains the only male referee to have officiated in two finals,[4] asHollie Davidson has since refereed twoWomen's Rugby World Cup finals. However, he has been criticised for his officiating in the 2003 final, favouring the hosts, Australia, in his decision-making.[10]
He announced his retirement prior to the July 2004 match between Australia and thePacific Islanders.[11] He made a comeback three months later, refereeing the first match of the qualification round for2007 Rugby World Cup between Andorra and Norway.[12]
He was appointed as the Manager of Referees for theSouth African Rugby Union in 2011.[13] 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.[14]
André Watson remains the only referee to have blown the whistle in two Rugby World Cup finals
| Preceded by | Rugby World Cup final referee 1999,2003  André Watson | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Super Rugby final referee 1999,2000 André Watson | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Super Rugby final referee 2002,2003,2003 André Watson | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Currie Cup final referee 1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001 André Watson | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Currie Cup final referee 2004 André Watson | Succeeded by |
Rugby World Cup final referees | |
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| Assistant Referees | |
| Television Match Officials |
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