The passing of ‘Oom’ Paul Dobson on 20 July 2020 will leave a void for years to come. There are few people in the rugby world who have contributed as much to refereeing as ‘Oom’ Paul Dobson says Joey Klaaste-Salmans, Chairperson of the Western Province Rugby Referees’ Society (WPRRS).

Paul took charge of his first game in 1955 while a student in Pietermaritzburg. Joining the Western Province Referees’ Society in 1968, he went on to officiate in more than 40 first class games. He was also a school rugby coach while master at Diocesan College in Rondebosch, where he taught Latin. Paul was also a mentor to several senior referees, among them Andre Watson, still the only person to referee two consecutive Rugby World Cup Finals.

But perhaps one of his greatest legacies was to work with representatives from seven Western Province-based refereeing bodies to drive the process of unification. Sport was historically segregated by race, but rugby embarked on a process of unification to bring the various referee societies under one banner. An achievement that was completed in 1992 with the election of the interim executive of the WPRRS with Paul as its first chairperson.

He remained in that post until 1999 when he retired as an active administrator. He was also awarded Honorary Member and Honorary Life President of the Society.

After retiring Paul remained active in refereeing as editor of the phenomenally successful SA Referees website. A role he continued with until shortly before his passing. His global connections were staggering, he was able to pick up the phone or email just about anyone for comment on a refereeing matter. He also wrote several books on the game; The Official History of South African Rugby, Doc: An Autobiography of Danie Craven, and biographies on Nick Mallett and Andre Watson.

In 2012 Paul was presented with the International Rugby Board’s Referee Award for Distinguished Service.

We will all miss Oom Paul,’ says Joey. ‘A man who achieved so much and influenced so many referees but did it in a selfless and unassuming manner. He was a favourite speaker at many of our monthly meetings – when we still had them. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Tannie Margaret, his wife of 54 years, and the entire Dobson family.

Paul Dobson receiving the IRB award for distinguished refereeing services.

From left: Dan de Villiers, (Chairperson of WP Rugby Referees), Andre Watson (former test referee), Ben Theron, Paul Dobson, Arthur Southgate, Doug Holwil, Thelo Wakefield