South Africa’s Andre Watson will referee his last rugby Test when he officiates in Saturday’s encounter between Australia and the Pacific Island Warriors in Adelaide.
Watson (46), the only man to have refereed two World Cup finals, will quit after his 28th international in control, after a Test career that began with a match between Australia and Canada in Australia in 1996.
The travel is starting to take its toll, and he wants to spend more time with his wife, Antoinette, and daughters Brenda and Colene, he told the Afrikaans newspaper Rapport.
Only four referees have refereed World Cup finals — Kerry Fitzgerald of Australia in the first one in 1987, Derek Bevan of Wales in 1991, Ed Morrison of England in 1995 and Watson in 1999 and 2003.
Watson is a qualified civil engineer, but, according to Planet-rugby.com, he is consulting with South African Rugby Football Union president Brian van Rooyen about a likely career in refereeing administration and development.
He will also continue to referee local matches. — Sapa-AP