By Angela Quintal
Luke Watson's family believes he can be many things in life, but all the controversial rugby forward wants to do is to "completely and totally serve God".
Watson is sitting in the lounge of his family's Cape Town home, after his disciplinary hearing failed to move beyond first base.
His top legal team successfully argued that the disciplinary inquiry for allegedly breaching the SA Rugby Union's code of conduct had not been properly constituted.
The merits of the case against Watson were never argued, but as far as the player is concerned, he has been vindicated.
Saru said it was still considering its options.
Presiding officer Nape Dolamo had earlier warned that even if Saru did close the loopholes relied on by Watson's legal team, it might not be prudent to act against him again, because of the principle of retrospectivity in South African law.
Watson sports a tattoo on his left arm that simply reads "Habakkuk 3.17", a biblical passage.
This is the other Luke Watson, a devout Christian, whose mission is not only to play rugby again - for a squad not named the Springboks, but the Proteas - but also to live his faith.
On life after rugby, and whether he wants to be a politician or perhaps even an evangelist, Watson says: "My extended family, my uncles and cousins, they say 'Luke you can do so much more', but I would love to do nothing more, but to serve God."
In his first print and radio interviews since the furore over his reported comments that in then coach Jake White's team he wanted to vomit on the Bok jersey, Watson is keen to counter perceptions that he is arrogant, selfish and not a team player.
He feeds homeless people two to three times a week in Long Street in the early hours of the morning, he confides.
"That is where my heart is."
Watson recounts how about three months ago, someone from a Numbers Gang in prison who had just been released, held a knife to his throat.
He was able to disarm him because the gangster was drunk.
"God turned my spirit: 'Luke you can leave now and you'll be okay. Or you can stay here and face your fears and really change the world'."
On his October 3 address to the Ubumbo Rugby Club at UCT, which he insists was illegally recorded, Watson said he had never gone there with a "political agenda or with any malice".
"I barely mentioned rugby, I explained to people the bigger picture, what life is about. My entire quest, mission or purpose in life is to literally glorify God and to fulfil the purpose he has placed before me.
"If that is sweeping the streets of Cape Town as a municipal worker. If that is sitting in the parliamentary seats down the road, I will do that too."
Watson insists his comments were reported out of context, while a transcript of what he reportedly said indicates that he was part motivational speaker that night.
On perceptions that he continues to fight his activist father Cheeky's battles, and is not his own man, Watson states: "The strange thing is that people are saying my father is living his life through me, and others say I am living my life through my father. They must make up their minds.
"There is only one thing that unites us and it is our deep-seated belief and religious convictions, our Christianity - what my father went through, is completely different to what I am going through."
While there were some similar characteristics, including being ostracised and victimised, they were different people.
"My father is controversial. He's a fighter. He's a true warrior. I am just a guy who loves God with all my heart, that wants to enjoy life"
Watson said that like the old South African flag, the Springbok emblem would also eventually become part of the country's past. "It will be a difficult period, but ultimately transformation will take place."
He displays a flash of humour: referring to all the allegations he has faced in the past, Watson says his autobiography will be titled Allegedly.
However, he cannot afford to be bitter and twisted about the hate emails and threats he has received.
"The best way of dealing with it is to regard it as water off a duck's back."