Andries Bekker

Andries Bekker
Date of birth (1983-12-05) 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
Position(s) Lock
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2012
2013–present
Western Province
Kobelco Steelers
38
42
(60)
(70)
Correct as of 15 January 2017
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2013 Stormers 104 (75)
Correct as of 02 June 2013
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–present South Africa 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. 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.
  • "SA Rugby Player Profile – Andries Bekker". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  • itsrugby.co.uk profile
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