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][8]
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.[12]
His second World Cup final was the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final between Australia and England in Sydney.[13] He remains the only referee to have officiated in two finals.
He announced his retirement prior to the July 2004 match between Australia and the Pacific Islanders.[15] He made a comeback three months later, refereeing the first match of the qualification round for 2007 Rugby World Cup between Andorra and Norway.[16]
Post-refereeing career
He was appointed as the Manager of Referees for the South African Rugby Union in 2011.[17] 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.[1]
References
1. ^{{SA Rugby Article | id=3080134 | title=SARU terminate André Watson’s employment | date=3 July 2015 | accessdate=9 June 2016 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609205603/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3080134&fullview=true | archivedate=9 June 2016}}
2. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/france/rugby/player/12287.html |title=Andre Watson |work=ESPN Scrum |publisher=ESPN EMEA Ltd|accessdate=31 August 2011}}
3. ^1 {{cite web|url=http://www.rugby365.com/laws_referees/refs/1080260.htm |title=Referees around the World, K-Z |work=Rugby 365 |publisher=Primedia Online |accessdate=31 August 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217082103/http://www.rugby365.com/laws_referees/refs/1080260.htm |archivedate=17 February 2010 }}
4. ^1 2 {{cite news | url=http://www.news24.com/xArchive/Archive/Andre-Watson-20030930 | title=Andre Watson| work=News24 | date=1 October 2003 | accessdate=31 August 2011}}
5. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://sasahof.co.za/index.php/inductees/2008/rugby/240-andre-watson|title=Yearbook 2008 - Andre Watson|work=|publisher=South African Sports and Arts Hall of Fame|accessdate=1 September 2011}}
6. ^1 2 {{cite web |url=http://www3.supersport.com/rugby/currie-cup/individualrecords|title=Currie Cup Individual Records |work=SuperSport.com|publisher=|accessdate=31 August 2011}}
7. ^1 2 {{cite web |url=http://www.rugby365.com/laws_referees/home/2654741.htm|title=Currie Cup Final referees |work=Rugby 365|publisher=Primedia Online|accessdate=1 September 2011}}
8. ^1 2 {{cite web |url=http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=31065|title=Super Rugby Final Referees & match officials|work=SuperXV.com|date=7 July 2011|publisher=Sports Digital Media|accessdate=1 September 2011}}
9. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.sareferees.co.za/news/ref_news/1534941.htm |title=Watson honoured again |author= |date=26 February 2009 |work= |publisher=SA Rugby Referees |accessdate=31 August 2011}}
10. ^1 {{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-06-29/top-rugby-ref-watson-to-hang-up-his-whistle/2001794 | title=Top rugby ref Watson to hang up his whistle | work=ABC News | date=29 June 2004 | accessdate=31 August 2011 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}
11. ^1 {{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article466326.ece |author=Souster, Mark| title=Watson back from retirement to referee in Andorra | work=The Times | date=29 June 2004 | accessdate=6 August 2004}}
12. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.sareferees.co.za/news/ref_news/1534941.htm |title=Three SA refs selected for RWC |author=Lemmer, Craig |date=4 August 2011 |work=sarugby.com |publisher=South African Rugby Union|accessdate=1 September 2011}}