SA's newest Test referee - Pro Legoete
In the opening round of the Nations Cup in Bucharest, Pro Legoete of the Golden Lions Referees’ Society has been appointed to referee the match between hosts Romania and Uruguay, thus becoming South Africa’s newest Test referee.
Legoete, whose first name is really Lesego, becomes South Africa’s 63rd Test referee.
Born and bred in Johannesburg Legoete went to Mondeor High School in the south of Johannesburg before going on to Rand Afrikaans University, now part of the University of Johannesburg. Always a keen sportsman his fellows nicknamed him Pro. At RAU he played fullback, centre and flyhalf for the university’s 1st XV and represented South Africa at the 1996 Students’ World Cup.
For a while he worked for the United Cricket Board, but is now a student advisor at the University.
In 2001, aged 25, he joined the Golden Lions Referees’ Society where he has made steady progress, currently one of the top ten referees in South Africa with a taste of Super 14 rugby and also considerable experience as a referee on the World Series Sevens circuit.
Looking back, Legoete says: “I never imagined myself being a referee at first especially after my playing days but spending enough time with all those who invested their time in me, the BIGGER plan was to plan big.
“Becoming a Test referee is such an honour and a really special occasion.
“I would like to once again thank God that I got to meet everyone that crossed paths with me in my career and thank him for what’s to come. My family that has ALWAYS being understanding and supportive, SARU for affording me the opportunity and my home union, the Lions for beginning the journey.”
He tells of his start: “I didn’t like the idea of being a referee but was given a law book by the late Prof. Gouws, who said to me: ‘Tell me what you think after two days’ and as it has been said, the rest is history.” (Johan Gouws, a former Test referee, was much involved in rugby and the life of the university.)
The man who did most mentoring at the Golden Lions is the referees’ manager, Gabriel Pappas. When he heard the news of his protege’s appointment he was delighted – excited and delighted. He said: “It’s a good reward for hard work.”
On hearing the news of the appointment André Watson, South Africa’s refereeing boss, was also delighted and said: “I’m confident that you all join me in congratulating him and the Lions Referee society with this fantastic achievement.”
Legoete is married to Rose and they have a son Moeletsi.
