NOTE: SA Rugby and SA Rugby Referees websites, trademarks, logos and emblems are are property of their respective trademark owners. started refereeing in 1990 when injury forced me to the sideline and I was forced to watch referees ruin perfectly good games of rugby… or so I thought! One day I could stand it no longer and I confronted a referee after the match. He challenged me to write a law exam which I eagerly accepted. I failed that exam scoring a pathetic 39%. That meant that I didn't know 2 out of 3 laws!! I realized then I knew very little about rugby and took up refereeing. I joined the Mpumalanga rugby union in 1990 and have been with them ever since. I met Dries Breytenbach who was the chairman, and his vision was revolutionary. He was ahead of his time and taught me the SPA principle. Later Freek Burger took over and turned SPA into SPACE and took me all the way to test status. S = Space P = Protection A = Advantage  C = Clear communication E = Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Principles or buzz words that are still used today by many referees! In 1994 I managed to get onto the SARU fast lane panel and went to Craven week in Bloemfontein that same year. From there it was a steady upwards journey, with nomination to the Provincial panel in 1996, National panel in 1997 and then the International panel in 1999. My first test was in 2000, Fiji v Italy. There were many lessons learnt along the way which have taught me a lot about life. Some highlights were going to RWC 2003 and 2007, 7 six Mark Lawrence Fact File ... More Links ... • SA Rugby • SA Rugby Referees • Rugby 365 nation Tests and 3 Tri nations Tests as well as meeting some of the most incredible people involved in rugby. As an Optometrist by profession and a Professional referee now,  I have a special relationship with the public. Monday to Friday, in the Practice, I tell them how badly they see. Saturdays, on the field, they tell me how badly I see. I solve both problems as follows - Monday to Friday I prescribe them specs and on Saturdays I prescribe them the law books.  They pay for both! My qualifications are: MARK LAWRENCE FM. Asn (SA) Nss. Arg (Int) FM = Failed Matric Asn = Also Standard Nine Nss = Now Selling Specs Arg = Also Refereeing Games Int = Internationally I am forever grateful to God for His blessings, Griselle my wife for incredible support and love and my children Matthew, Danielle and Nicole for looking after Mom on the many weeks and weekends I am away from home. The pride I saw in my children’s eyes helped push me through the many tough seasons.  Also to my refereeing family for the times we spent overseas or at home, Andre, Tappe, Jonny, Andy, Danny, Johan, Sean, Deon, Michael, Willie, Craig, Marius, JC, Gareth and Pro to mention just a few. Thanks for your influence on my career My philosophy is that refereeing is not a popularity contest, it is a test of integrity, honesty and having the guts to make the right decision at the right time, REGARDLESS! • Born in Standerton, Mpumalanga on 16 June 1965 • Qualified as an Optometrist in 1987 • Started refereeing in 1990 • Professional referee in 1999 • Games blown: o 21 Tests o 56 RS14 o 97 Curry Cup o 278 First Class © Copyright, Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.           >> Terms & Conditions of Use