Andries Bekker
Date of birth | 5 December 1983 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Place of birth | Goodwood, Cape Town, South Africa | ||
Height | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
Weight | 121 kg (19 st 1 lb)[1] | ||
School | Paul Roos Gymnasium | ||
University | University of South Africa | ||
Notable relative(s) | Hennie Bekker (father) | ||
Occupation(s) | Professional rugby player | ||
Rugby union career | |||
Playing career | |||
Position | Lock | ||
Provincial/State sides | |||
Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
2004–2012 2013–present |
Western Province Kobelco Steelers |
38 34 |
(60) (65) |
correct as of 23 July 2016. | |||
Super Rugby | |||
Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
2005–2013 | Stormers | 104 | (75) |
correct as of 02 June 2013. | |||
National team(s) | |||
Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
2008–present | South Africa | 29 | (5) |
correct as of 14 April 2013. |
Andries Bekker (born 5 December 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the Springbok rugby team as well as Kobelco Steelers in the Japanese Top League.
Bekker made his South African debut in 2008 against Wales in a 43–17 victory in Bloemfontein.
At 6'11" he is one of the tallest international rugby players, but he only made the Springbok side regularly after the retirement of locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. He is the son of former Springbok International Hennie Bekker who was also a lock.
Holding the record for being the tallest Springbok in history, Andries Bekker was an imposing figure in the DHL Stormers lineout. Despite his large physique, he is blessed with mobility and pace; aspects which have seen him become an integral part of the current Springbok squad. His experience and all-round ability was to be crucial to the success of a relatively young pack in 2010. Bekker was a Vodacom Super 14 Rugby Player of the Year nominee in 2008.
In 2013 Bekker agreed to a move to Japanese club Kobelco Steelers.
References
- 1 2 "SA Rugby Player Profile – Andries Bekker". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- Wildman, Rob (15 August 2008). "Tri-Nations: South Africa call on towering Andries Bekker's for New Zealand Test". Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- "Bekker quits WP for Japan". sport24.co.za. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
External links
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Andries Bekker". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- itsrugby.co.uk profile