Luke Watson

This article is about the rugby player. For other people, see Luke Watson (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Luke Walton.

Luke Watson
Full nameLuke Asher Watson
Date of birth (1983-10-26) 26 October 1983 (age 41)
Place of birthPort Elizabeth, South Africa
Height1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Weight103 kg (227 lb; 16 st 3 lb)
SchoolGrey High School
Notable relative(s)Cheeky Watson (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
No 8
Youth career
2002 Mighty Elephants
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002, 2011–2015 Mighty Elephants /
Eastern Province Kings		 34 (125)
2003–2004 Sharks 20 (5)
2003–2004 Sharks (Currie Cup) 19 (10)
2005–2009 Stormers 62 (50)
2005–2009 Western Province 48 (130)
2009–2011 Bath Rugby 41 (25)
2013 Southern Kings 6 (10)
Correct as of 6 September 2015
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001 S.A. Schools
2002 South Africa Under-19
2002 South Africa 7s
2004 South Africa Under-21 2 (7)
2007–2008 South Africa 10 (0)
2011 South African Kings 2 (0)
Correct as of 22 February 2013
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  South Africa
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Manchester Team competition

Luke Asher Watson (born 26 October 1983 in Port Elizabeth) is a South African former rugby union footballer who can play at flank or eighthman. He has represented and captained the South African Schools rugby team (2001), South Africa's under-19 (2002) and under-21 (2004) teams, as well as the Springbok Sevens team (2001). Watson has also captained both the Western Province and the Super Rugby Stormers. He most recently played for the Eastern Province Kings.

Watson has been controversial due to his relationship with then-national coach Jake White, political interference in his selection for the 2007 Springbok team, interaction with the squad afterwards, and his comments in a speech. Watson told a public gathering on 3 October 2008 that he had to stop himself from vomiting when he wore the Springbok jersey, and referred to black players such as Zola Yeye who during apartheid had been excluded from national selection.[1] The media suggested that Watson had also denigrated Afrikaner players and rugby officials in a question and answer session, although the transcript of the speech does not bear this out.[2]

Consequently, some South African rugby supporters and players (mostly Afrikaners) launched verbal attacks against Watson (often vehement and personal),[3][4] Afrikaner rights groups like the Afrikanerbond[2] sought his exclusion from rugby, and some spectators vocally expressed their disapproval whenever he played in South Africa.[5][6]

Watson has denied that he is against Afrikaners, pointing out that not only does he oppose all forms of discrimination but that he also has Afrikaner ancestors.[7] He conceded in 2010 that he had been used as "a political pawn" and that he would have done things differently if he had the chance to do them over.[8] He regretted attending the Springbok training camp in 2007, knowing that neither he, the squad, nor White wanted him to be there.[8][9][10]

  1. ^ "Transcript of Watson Tape". sport24.co.za. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b Reid, Neil (14 October 2008). "Life ban urged for controversial Luke Watson". Yahoo!Xtra Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  3. ^ Walsh, David (27 December 2009). "Luke Watson: against the tide". Times Online (London). Retrieved 12 May 2011.[dead link]
  4. ^ Grobler, Nic (7 October 2010). "Luke, selfs die WP verdien jou nie". Beeld (Pretoria) (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  5. ^ Mohamed, Ashfak (26 January 2009). "Newlands faithful boo Watson". Independent Online (Cape Town & Johannesburg). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  6. ^ Mohamed, Ashfak (9 March 2009). "Judge Luke on his rugby – De Villiers". Independent Online (Cape Town & Johannesburg). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  7. ^ "I don't hate Afrikaners, say angry Watson". Independent Online (Cape Town & Johannesburg). 13 October 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  8. ^ a b Borchardt, Simon (26 October 2010). "I was a political pawn". keo.co.za. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  9. ^ De Bruin, Philip (6 October 2010). "Luke apologises – 'I was wrong'". sport24.co.za. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  10. ^ Boomgaard, Sarah (10 January 2011). "Next Chapter: the Luke Watson Interview". rugbyheelsandeverythingelse. Retrieved 12 May 2011.