The 45 year old, who plays golf off a handicap of three, took up the challenge and started refereeing in 1987, making the South Africa RFU panel seven years later and his Test debut with Australia's 74-9 defeat of Canada in Brisbane on June 29 1996.

South Africa's leading referee has gone from strength to strength and among the other highlights on his CV are controlling the first Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Sydney in June 2001 and a record six Currie Cup finals.

A civil engineer before becoming a professional referee, Watson has also taken charge of four of the eight Super 12 finals since 1996, including the last two showdowns won by Canterbury Crusaders and Auckland Blues respectively.

Watson, who in his youth played fly half for Transvaal Schools XV, the University of Stellenbosch and Witwatersrand University, now has more than 20 Tests to his name.

The highlight of Andre Watson's career was his feat of refereeing successive World Cup finals - at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 1999 when Australia and France played, and at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney when England beat Australia. In addition he has refereed five Super 12 finals, and six Currie Cup finals. The last one was his 27th Test, making him the most capped referee in South Africa's history, followed by Jonathan Kaplan.

He was educated in the Universities of Stellenbosch and Wits, qualifying as an engineer. He left engineering to become the CEO of the Falcons Rugby Union, and then left to become a full-time referee. In 2004 he decided to retire from refereeing international rugby.

An entertaining and experienced public speaker, Andre has a wealth of amusing anecdotes and his presentations are always well-received. 

With a wealth of experience in the international game of Rugby, Andre offers audiences great insight into the game and what it takes to become the world's most respected referee.

Andre presents in English

Professional Speaker / Motivational Speaker / Conference Speaker