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Wednesday, December 16
Our latest set of feature articles outlines the Top 50 Springboks to don the Green and Gold since re-admission.
Some great players have represented South Africa in the past 17 years and we've decided to take a trip down memory lane and remember and list the SARugby.com 50 Greatest Springboks since 1992.
Contribution to the Springboks, Test caps, tries and the sheer skill and brilliance of the players were considered as a panel of journalists worked out our list of honour.
Over the short rugby off-season, we will be working our way backwards from player number 50 towards our best Springbok player since re-admission.
Join us as we work our way through the list and let us know where you agree, or disagree, with our selections.
38 – André Pretorius
Pretorius has been plagued by injury throughout his career but still won 31 Tests for South Africa. He would undoubtedly have had the distinction of having 50 Tests behind his name had it not been for recurring knee injuries.
He made his Springbok debut against Wales in Bloemfontein on June 8, 2002, slotting three conversions and a penalty in South Africa’s 34-19 victory. Pretorius is a creative flyhalf with great distribution skills and a lethal sidestep, but it’s his reliable boot and drop kicking prowess that opposing teams fear most.
One of Pretorius’ most memorable performances was against England at Twickenham on November 25, 2006, when he landed four drop goals, two penalties and a conversion to guide the Boks to their first win over England at the legendary venue in six years. After making four appearances in South Africa’s triumphant 2007 World Cup campaign, Pretorius fittingly played his last Test against Wales on November 24 of that year.
Pretorius initially made a name for himself on the Sevens circuit and was named SA Sevens Player of the Year in 2001. His natural talent also earned him a nomination for SA Player of the Year in 2002. After a rich career at the Lions, Pretorius signed for Western Force for the 2010 Super 14 season.
Full Name: André Stefan
Surname: Pretorius
Position: Flyhalf
Height: 1.76m
Weight: 90kg
Date of Birth: 29 December 1978
Place of Birth: Johannesburg
School: Danimika
Provincial debut: Lions
Tests: 31
Points: 171
Tries: 2
Conversions: 31
Penalties: 25
Drop Goals: 8
Test Debut: 8 June 2002 vs. Wales in Bloemfontein aged 23
Last Test: 24 November 2007 vs. Wales in Cardiff aged 28
Records/Honours: SA Sevens Player of the Year, 2001; SA Player of the Year nominee, 2002; Member of the World Cup winning Springbok squad, 2007
http://www.sarugby.com/news/News/article/sid=12794.html
Gee I hope that knee is ok......... be good to win some games by a drop goal this year!!!
Very tempted to smite that reply...
Summary of article= "Can play"!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I could be wrong but I don't believe any Western Force player has had a successful drop goal since we started.
My apologies if I am wrong
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
For Force:
Cheetahs Round 2, 2009 x1 Matt Giteau
Against Force:
Lions Round 4, 2007 x1
Sharks Round 9, 2007 x1
Chiefs Round 12, 2008 x1
Sharks Round 6, 2009 x1
Interestingly, all successful DGs for and against the Force have been at Subiaco.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
NO DROP GOALS!!!
my apologies
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Gitz...Against Cheetahs...
pity he couldn't get it together with one against Scotland..!!!
Hate to see his success rate as I have a hunch there were quite a few attempts.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.