SARU TMO PANEL

Ben Crouse
Born:	24 April 1983

School attended:	Otto du Plessis
Favourite country:	South Africa
Favourite food:	Italian

Rugby history:

Played scrumhalf for Otto du Plessis school and Despatch Rugby Club until first year as a student.

Have played rugby since Grade 1.

Why You chose to become a referee:

Dad was a referee and he enjoyed it, so I joined up with him in later years.

Refereeing history:

Started in 2000 (Grade 11) at the Eastern Province Referees’ Society.

Contender Squad 2006-2007

National Panel 2008

Men HSBC 7's Circuit 2013 to 2017

Women HSBC 7's Circuit 2017 to 2018

Career highlights:

Refereeing at the Rio Olympics in 2016

Finals:

• Currie Cup First Division - 2014
• Gold Cup - 2017
• SA Rugby u21 - 2018
• Super Sport Rugby Challenge - 2019

Internation Women Test: 2013 - Uganda vs Kenya

Favourite international sportsperson:

Gary Player

Family connection to the sport:

Dad used to play and then refereed.

Motivators:

Family

Who would you like to meet:

Barack Obama

Hero/Mentor:

Dad and Tappe Henning

Advice for new recruits:

Enjoy the journey, everyday might be your last. Make memories and friends wherever you can.

Outside interests:

Golf and fishing.

Did you know?

When I started refereeing I had to catch a lift with my best mate to a game, I refereed him, had to give him a yellow card and then catch a lift back with him too.

Number of matches officiated/TMO:

18 WR 7´s Tournaments, 10 WR 7´s Women Tournaments, 9 Currie Cup Premier, 18 First Division