Watson gets crunch appointment
December 11, 2001

Two of South Africa's top referees have been appointed to do duty in the Six Nations Tournament in Europe next year.

Andre Watson will blow the whistle in the crucial encounter between France and England in Paris on March 2, while Mark Lawrence will be the man in the middle when Italy host England in Rome on April 7.

Two other South African officials will play a role in the tournament, as assessors. Louis Wessels will be on duty for the France-Italy game in Paris on February 2, and Frans Muller has been appointed for the Wales-Scotland match in Cardiff on April 6.

Watson has refereed in three Five Nations tournaments before. This year's tournament will be the first Six Nations experience for both him and Lawrence.

Commenting on the appointments, SARFU GM: Referees Freek Burger said it was a great indication of the standard of the match officials in South Africa.

"Given that we are now getting closer to the World Cup in 2003, these appointments are important to us," he said. "If we are to play a key role in the World Cup, this is the time to show how good we are.

"It is also important that Mark has been given the opportunity in this tournament. It shows that more and more of our officials are being noticed by the rugby world."

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