Global InformationLuke Watson information
| Full name | Luke Asher Watson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 26 October 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 103 kg (227 lb; 16 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Grey High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Cheeky Watson (father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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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]
- ^ "Transcript of Watson Tape". sport24.co.za. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ a b Reid, Neil (14 October 2008). "Life ban urged for controversial Luke Watson". Yahoo!Xtra Sport. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Walsh, David (27 December 2009). "Luke Watson: against the tide". Times Online (London). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Grobler, Nic (7 October 2010). "Luke, selfs die WP verdien jou nie". Beeld (Pretoria) (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Mohamed, Ashfak (26 January 2009). "Newlands faithful boo Watson". Independent Online (Cape Town & Johannesburg). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Mohamed, Ashfak (9 March 2009). "Judge Luke on his rugby – De Villiers". Independent Online (Cape Town & Johannesburg). Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ "I don't hate Afrikaners, say angry Watson". Independent Online (Cape Town & Johannesburg). 13 October 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ De Bruin, Philip (6 October 2010). "Luke apologises – 'I was wrong'". sport24.co.za. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Boomgaard, Sarah (10 January 2011). "Next Chapter: the Luke Watson Interview". rugbyheelsandeverythingelse. Retrieved 12 May 2011.